Chapter 123
Natalia unmuted the phone and slowly brought it to her ear, her voice cracked as she spoke. "Hell-Hello."
"Natalia?"
"It's me." It was all she could think to say. She hadn't heard her sisters voice in so long. It was startling, and a little bit surreal.
"It's Isabel."
"I know." A slight bit of anger crept into her voice. "What? Why are you calling? I haven't heard from you in almost twenty years. How did you even get this number? Did mama and papa put you up to this?" She grew more and more upset as she questioned her sister.
"Whoa, whoa, Natalia, slow down. Please. Mama and papa don't even know I've called you. I just…I had to make sure that you were alright. My roommate was flipping through channels a few weeks ago, I saw, I saw the trial, about that man. What he did to you, to your family. I watched it every day once I saw it. I missed the first couple of days though. I'm so sorry Natalia. I wanted to call you right away, but it took some time to find your number."
Natalia was floored. She knew the trial was being filmed by several news channels, she just hadn't thought that anyone outside of Springfield would watch it, let alone someone from her childhood family. Had her parents seen it, were they trying to contact her as well. She couldn't think about that right now. So, she focused on trivial matters instead. "How did you? Get my number that is."
"Oh um, I remembered that bar, the one Nicky would take you too before…well anyways, I decided to try there, see if anyone remembered you, knew how to contact you. The owner, Jonesy, he remembered a woman coming in a while back looking for you. He said she was all fired up and not someone you could easily forget. Said she handcuffed herself to the bar." She chuckled a little. "He said her name was Olivia Spencer. When I heard the name, I figured that it was the same Olivia from the trial. You're um, wife. On a long shot, I googled her, and well, apparently she's pretty big in the business world. Anyways, I found an article for her, and I guess your, hotel here in Chicago, I called there and spoke with the general manager, he was reluctant, but with enough begging, he said he would give me your home number but refused your cell. It took me almost two weeks to work up the courage to call you. I'm so sorry about everything. Now and back when mama and papa… you know."
"Don't. I don't want to talk about that right now."
"Okay, um, so, are you alright, is your…. wife okay?"
Natalia took a moment to respond. Isabel sounded sincere, like she really was worried about Natalia and her family, but why now, after all this time. "Why care now?"
"Because I am your sister."
'Shit.' Natalia thought, she hadn't realized she had said that out loud. "Yes, you are. You are my sister who hasn't given a damn for last twenty years. Why now Isabel? You've never tried to find me before. You didn't care when I was raising your nephew alone for the past twenty years." Anger was edging into her voice again.
"I was a kid Natalia. I screamed for papa to please let you stay. I begged him, and mama. I ended up grounded for weeks because I was so angry at him. What else was I supposed to do? Follow you? Run away from home? I couldn't have even stayed at the home with you, I wasn't pregnant."
"You're right, you couldn't do anything then, and I didn't want you too. You were fourteen, you needed to be at home with mama and papa. But what about later Isabel? It's been twenty years. Twenty. You've never tried to find me before. What's so special about now? Huh? Tell me Isabel, why do you care now, what makes now different? You haven't been a child for a very long time."
"I know. I know Natalia." Isabel sounded defeated in that moment. She had no excuse. She hadn't ever tried to find Natalia. She left home at nineteen when she got into college and moved into the dorms. But during her final five years at home, it had been drilled into her head that Natalia was no longer a part of their family.
She had disobeyed their parents, went against the church, and turned her back on God. Her father demanded that no one ever have any contact with Natalia ever again. He took down every picture of her and made it clear that her name was not to be spoken in his house. She had fought it the first year. Constantly having fights with her mother and father over Natalia. She had begged and pleaded with them to go get her and bring her home, but her father refused every time. She would end up grounded and forced to ask forgiveness at church. Eventually she caved to her father, she quit mentioning Natalia, let their time as close sisters slip to the back of her mind so losing her would hurt less.
They had been close growing up. Isabel was the only person that knew about Natalia and Nicky. She would cover for Natalia when she would sneak out to see him. Including the night Natalia ended up pregnant. When Isabel went off to college, she continued to keep Natalia at the back of her mind. She figured it had been too long, that Natalia had moved on. Maybe she found Nicky and they were raising their son together. She couldn't bring herself to try and find her sister, it would hurt too bad if she found her and Natalia turned her way.
Tears streamed silently down her cheeks as she sniffled into the phone. "Lo siento Natalia. Nunca debería haber dejado que papa me hiciera querer olvidarte. Solo duele mucho. Lo siento hermana. Debería haber intentado encontrarte antes. Lo se. Por favor perdóname." She was sobbing by the time she finished, unashamed by her tears. Twenty years of hurt and sorrow pouring out of her. (I'm so sorry Natalia. I never should have let papa make me want to forget you. It just hurt so much. I'm so sorry sister. I should have tried to find you sooner. I know. Please forgive me.)
Natalia was crying too. She could hear the sorrow in her sisters voice and knew she truly regretted not looking for her sooner. In truth, she was just as much to blame. She knew how upset Isabel was when she left. She could have tried to find her too. She didn't, not because of anything Isabel did, but because she needed that family not to exist. It was the only way she could find the strength to do what she had to for herself and for Rafe.
"Te perdono pequeña estrella. Yo también lo siento. I could have looked for you too. I knew you were upset with mama and papa for kicking me out, I just, I guess I couldn't. I was afraid. I was afraid that over the years you would believe everything they said about me. That you wouldn't want to see me. I couldn't handle the thought of your rejection, so I just pushed you from my mind. I'm so sorry Isabel. Te amo mi pequeña estrella." She hoped the use of her nickname for her baby sister was enough to convey how truly sorry she was. (I forgive you little star. I'm sorry too.) (I love you my little star.)
Olivia walked to the side of Josh's truck and opened the door while Reva climbed down from her side and unbuckled Collin from his car seat. "Hey."
"Hey there." Josh studied his ex-wife for a moment. He could see something lurking behind her forced smile. "What's wrong?"
"What? Oh nothing, Natalia just uh, she got an unexpected call so we might give her a few minutes."
"Anything serious? Something wrong?"
"Uh, I don't know to be honest. It's um, it's her sister."
"Natalia has a sister?"
"Yeah." She said with her business smile. "News to me too."
"Uh-huh. Well, uh, we could uh, we could talk in Ava's apartment, or I could come back later. Whatever you think is best."
"Um, I don't want to go to Ava's, I want her to be the first one to see in complete. Let's go down to Rafe's apartment."
"Okay. Lead the way."
"Let me just grab the keys and check on Natalia. I'll meet you guys around back." Olivia turned on her heel and headed back to the house as Josh, Reva, and Collin headed around the side of the house.
Olivia walked in to find her wife furiously wiping at her eyes as tears steadily streamed down them. All thoughts of Josh and Reva flew from her mind as she quickly made her way to the couch and took her love in her arms. "You okay?" She whispered.
Natalia nodded against her shoulder as she sniffled. She turned the phone away from her mouth. "I'm okay. Go, talk with Josh, I'll be there soon."
Olivia wasn't sure if she should leave her. "You sure? They can wait." She said, looking into Natalia's still tear-filled eyes.
"I'm sure. Go. I'll tell you about it later."
Olivia was still hesitant but nodded. She kissed Natalia's temple and stood from the couch. "I love you sweetheart."
"I love you too."
Olivia headed for the kitchen, deciding to just use that door instead of getting her keys to let Josh and Reva in. She grabbed a juice and some crackers for Collin before going down to Rafe's apartment.
"Natalia, you still there?" Isabel questioned.
Natalia brought the phone back to her mouth so she could continue talking with her sister. "Yeah, sorry. We have a meeting about our new hotel in St. Louis. Olivia was worried when she came in and saw me upset." She answered, sniffling back a few stray tears.
"Oh, um, I can let you go. I'm sure you're very busy, with your hotels and all. But +are you really okay? It sounded like that man did a number on your family."
"No, it's okay. Olivia can speak with Josh by herself, she'll fill me in later. And yes, he did cause quite a bit of harm. When Olivia first got to the hospital after he attacked her, we weren't sure if she would ever wake up. And Rafe, my poor baby, he was so shaken up, he didn't speak to anyone until Olivia was awake."
"Rafe, that's uh, that's your son right? Yours and Nicky's?"
"Yes. My little mijo."
"I saw him on tv. He looks like Nicky, but I see a lot of Javier (Natalia's older brother.) in him too."
"Yes, he does remind a bit of Javi."
"From the looks of him, you did good Natalia. He seems like a very well-mannered young man. What little I saw of him."
"He is, he's had some trouble, but he's better now. Olivia has been a blessing in so many ways, but especially with Rafe. They understand each other. He has come a long way since meeting Olivia."
"That's great Natalia. I'm glad you have a family, that you're not alone. So um, you have other kids right? I mean, it appeared that way on tv."
"Yes. I have two daughters. Ava and Emma. Ava is twenty-six and Emma turned nine in October. They are Olivia's daughters, but they are just as much mine and Rafe is just as much Olivia's."
''Wow, twenty-six. How old is Olivia?"
"She's forty-two. She had Ava very young. It's a long and twisted story, most of what's happened since I moved here is." Natalia giggled nervously.
"Are you happy Natalia?"
Natalia didn't hesitate for even a second. "Yes, I am so very happy. Olivia and our children...God Isabel, I can't even describe how happy they make me."
"Good. I'm happy for you. So uh, you and Nicky, things didn't work out once you got pregnant?"
"That is a very long story. One we'll have to have another time."
"Okay, I understand. But um, there will be right, another time?"
"Yes. It's going to take time, but I would like to be able to talk to you again. Maybe get a coffee the next time I'm in Chicago."
"Yeah, that would be nice. Maybe I could come see you. See your house and that little town you live in."
"You know where I live?"
"Yeah, it was on the news. Springfield police chief attacks local hotel owner. That's what a lot of the headlines said. I looked up Springfield. Seems like a nice town."
"Yeah, Springfield is…something."
"Not so nice?"
"It's not that it isn't nice, it's just, well, Springfield is like a town straight out of a soap opera. Everything here is a little surreal. It's a little crazy, but it's home. I haven't felt like any place was really home since I left mama and papa's. Not until Springfield and the farmhouse. Not until Olivia."
"You really love her don't you?"
"Yes, I do. More than I have ever loved anyone. She is everything Isabel. I can't imagine my life without her. God sent me a precious gift when he put Olivia in my path, one I cherish every day."
"I'm glad. So, how about it? Can I come visit you? I know it's sudden and it's been a long time, but I miss you Natalia. I've missed you every day since you left."
Natalia bit her lip; she didn't know what to say. Part of her really wanted to say yes, but she was nervous, it had been so many years and so much pain and heartache. She wasn't sure she could handle it. Just as she was about to say as much, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Olivia had been standing in the doorway from the kitchen, just watching Natalia for last minute or so.
At being caught, Olivia gave a sheepish grin and fully entered the room. "Hey." She said as she bent for a chaste kiss.
"Hey." Natalia mouthed silently. "Hey Isabel, can you give me just a minute?"
"Of course. Do you want to call me back?"
"No, just give me a minute. Don't hang up."
"I won't."
Natalia muted the phone and looked at Olivia. "She wants to come here; she wants to see me."
Olivia sat beside her wife, placing an arm around her shoulders. Kissing Natalia's head when she leaned against her. "Do you want to see her?"
"Yes, no, I don't know."
Olivia tipped her chin up so she could see her face. "Honey, do you want to see your sister?"
"I do but, I just don't know if it's such a good idea. It's been so long, and…" She trailed off as fears of how Isabel would react to their family overtook her.
"Natalia, sweetheart, you don't have to see her if you don't want to, but if you do, I will be here. I will support you. And the kids will too. It's completely up to you baby. I will support you no matter what you decide."
Natalia nodded against her and sat up straight. "Okay. Maybe she can stay at the hotel. I'm not sure I want her to be in our home yet."
"I think that's a good idea. You can have lunch or dinner with her at the Watershed and see how you feel after that."
"Will you go with me? To meet her?"
"Of course, I will sweetheart." After another kiss, Olivia stood up again. "I love you Natalia. I'm gonna go back and finish up with Josh. We're just about done and then he's gonna go spend some time with Reva and Collin before coming back to show Ava her apartment. I'm so excited to see it. I can't wait for Ava and Rafe to get home."
"Me too. She is going to be so happy. Let me make arrangements with Isabel and then I'll get Emma's snack ready."
"Okay honey. I love you."
"I love you too. Tell Josh and Reva I'm sorry I couldn't join you guys."
"I will. Now talk to your sister and we'll talk tonight after Emma's in bed."
Natalia nodded and unmuted the phone as Olivia disappeared through the kitchen. After setting up for Isabel to come in on Saturday, Natalia went to get a snack ready for Emma before her bus got home. Just as she finished placing her milk on the table, Olivia came up from Rafe's apartment. Natalia spun upon hearing the door and smiled at the love of her life.
"Hey. How did things go with Josh?"
"Good. We are completely on track in St. Louis. Josh was really happy with the work being done. He left me a flash drive with photos of the progress and some samples of flooring for us to look at. We'll need to call with our choices Monday morning."
"Okay. I'm glad we're not having the problems we had in Chicago."
"Me too. I figure we can look at the photos with the kids after we show Ava her apartment. I want to go sneak a peek at what used to be out barn, but I'm not going to. Ava deserves to see it first."
"Yes, she does. She and Rafe said they were going to try and be home early today. Rafe said they should be here by five."
"She doesn't know the barn is done right?"
"Nope. When I spoke to Rafe earlier he said she hasn't given any indication that she knew."
"Good. I'm gonna miss her being in the house, but I think it will be good for her to really have her own space. You know?"
"I do, and I agree. She needs to be able to spread out a little. I think it might help her heal. Having her own apartment. Feeling more independent."
"Me too. I just hope she's like Rafe and still comes in for family dinners every once in a while."
Natalia took both of Olivia's hands in hers. She kissed each of her knuckles. "She will Olivia. She's not moving across the country this time, just about fifty feet from our back door. She's not going to forget about us. She loves you honey, and our family is so connected, I can't see her staying away for long."
"I hope not."
Natalia could hear the bus approaching but didn't let it stop her from taking Olivia fully into her arms and kissing her soundly. The two lost themselves in their mini make out session. Olivia backed Natalia against the counter and ran her hands along her sides, kissing down her neck and nibbling lightly. Before things got too carried away, Emma came bursting through the back door.
"Hi mommy. Hi ma."
The two women pulled back but remained locked in each other's arms. "Hey Jellybean. How was school?" Olivia asked.
"Good. Dillan made Julie laugh so hard at lunch that milk squirt out her nose. It was so funny."
"Sounds like it." Olivia smiled as she disentangled from Natalia and went to kiss her baby girls head. She stole a cookie from the plate on the table as she sat next to her.
"Two cookies each you two." Natalia reminded from the fridge where she was pulling out milk to pour for Olivia.
"Yes ma'am." Olivia said with mock disappointment. At the same time as Emma said. "Okay ma."
Natalia shook her head as she placed a glass of milk in front of Olivia. "I mean it Olivia. I don't want you two spoiling your dinner. I'm gonna go upstairs for a bit. I'll text Josh to be here around five and see if he and Reva will be joining us for dinner."
Olivia could tell Natalia needed some time to herself after her talk with her sister. "Okay my love. Let me know if you need anything."
"I will. I think I'll take a bath before starting dinner. Emma, make sure you get your homework done before turning on the tv." She said pointedly.
"I will ma."
"Good girl." She kissed Emma's head and Olivia's lips before heading up the stairs. They had so much still going on in their lives and now her sister was added in. She needed to think and try and relax before her eldest two children got home. Tonight, was a good night. Ava was finally going to be able to move into her apartment. Josh had given them good news about their newest hotel, and best of all, Olivia had a clean bill of health. She needed to just put Isabel out of her mind and focus on her family for now. There would be time to think about her reunion with her sister later.
Natalia had just lay her head back against the back of the tub when she heard the door open and felt a gust of cold air. Before she could even open her eyes she felt strong hands massage into her scalp. She opened her eyes and looked up into bright green. "Mmm, that feels good."
"Shh. Close your eyes baby. Let me take care of you for a change." She kissed her gently and then continued her massage.
Her fingers softly worked through Natalia's hair and to her scalp. She started at her forehead and worked her way to the top of her head and then down to the base of her neck. She circled her thumbs behind her ears, easing the headache that had begun to take place in Natalia's head. She continued to work her fingers in slow circles until Natalia's head lulled forward. Then she moved to Natalia's shoulders, kneading the tension from her sore muscles.
When she felt that Natalia's shoulders were thoroughly relaxed, she moved further down the side of the tub and picked up one of Natalia's feet. She massaged her soles and her toes. She rubbed her thumb into the arch of her foot loving the moans of pleasure she was pulling from her wife. She moved up her leg slowly. Rubbing all of the tension out as she went and then moved to the other leg, paying it the same attention.
Finished with Natalia's legs and feet, she moved on to massage her stomach, chest, neck, and even her face before reaching for the loofa and squeezing a generous amount of vanilla scented body wash onto it. Natalia still had her eyes closed when she felt the cool gel make contact with her left foot and work up her left leg before moving to her right and then to the apex between her thighs. Olivia didn't want to arouse her wife, so she moved on quickly to rub circles over Natalia's stomach then gently across each breast. She washed Natalia's neck and face and then assisted her in sitting up so she could wash her back kneading at the tight muscles as she went.
She eased Natalia back down in the tub and reached for the cup they kept in the corner. She had Natalia scoot forward so she could pour water over her hair. She massaged shampoo in first, taking care to rinse it free completely before moving on to conditioner. Once she was done with Natalia's hair, she pulled the plug on the tub and helped Natalia out. She carefully dried her from top to bottom and led her to their room, sitting her on the bed as she went to grab some yoga pants and one of her own t-shirts, knowing how much Natalia liked to have her scent close by when she was feeling vulnerable. She did it all in silence, allowing Natalia the time she needed to think.
Once Olivia had her dressed, she eased her down to the bed and kissed her forehead, her eyebrows, her nose and cheeks, and finally her lips. The kiss was full of so much care that it nearly brought tears to Natalia's eyes. Olivia turned on the bedside lamp and kissed her wife one more time, pressing just a little harder this time, wanting Natalia to feel all the love and adoration she felt for her.
"I'll make dinner sweetheart. You just relax a little longer. I'll come get you when the kids get home. Te amo mi corazón." She whispered in her ear, kissing the spot just below before heading for the door, shutting off the main light and shutting the door softy behind her.
Olivia, with Emma's assistance, whipped up a quick stir fry dinner. Just as she and Emma finished setting the table Ava and Rafe walked in, both kissing their mom and Emma before going to change and wash up for dinner. Josh, Reva, and Collin arrived just behind them. And Doris not two minutes later.
Rafe came back into the kitchen more than ready for dinner. "Is it time to eat mom? I'm starving."
Olivia cupped one cheek and kissed the other. "You are always hungry my son, but yes it is. Once Ava comes back down go ahead and sit, I'm going to get your ma and we'll be down in just a minute."
"Where is ma anyways? She's always in the kitchen when we get home."
"She just needed to rest for a bit. It's been a long day."
"She okay?"
"She's just fine. Please get the drinks on the table and entertain Josh and Reva for a few minutes."
"Sure mom."
'Thank you son." As she was walking out Ava and Emma came strolling in. "And you two can help your b-brother, I'll be back in just a minute and then we can eat." Olivia slowly made her way up the stairs and into her bedroom. Natalia had fallen asleep and was now cuddled up to Olivia's pillow. Olivia smiled at the sight before walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed. She gently stroked her fingers through Natalia's hair, coaxing her from sleep.
Natalia's eyes blinked open and she smiled at the beautiful woman hovering over her. She rolled to her back so she could fully look up at the woman she loved with all her heart. "Hey. How long was I asleep?" she asked. Voice still thick with sleep.
"Only about an hour. How are you feeling?"
"Better. Thank you honey. You take such good care of me."
"Not half as good as you do me. Are you feeling more at ease with Isabel coming to visit?"
"I think I am. I thought a lot about it, and I decided that it doesn't matter what she thinks of our family. I love you and our children and I am so very happy. I've lived without her for nearly twenty years. If she isn't excepting of us, it will hurt, but I'll be okay. As long as I have you and our kids, nothing else matters."
"I'm glad you're feeling better sweetheart. You ready to go have dinner."
"Mmm, yes, I'm famished."
Olivia stood and held out her hand to Natalia. "Come on, let's go join the kids and Josh and Reva. Then we can surprise Ava and then, after Emma's in bed, you can tell me a little more about your family. You don't have to tell me the whole story right now, but it'd be nice to know what other siblings exist before they call." She winked as she finished so Natalia would know she wasn't upset.
"I'm sorry Olivia, I just, I don't like to talk them much. It's easier if I just pretend they don't exist. I never thought any of them would ever try to find me. I should have told you about them though. I know so much about your past and you know so little of mine." She looked down in shame.
Olivia tilted her chin up and kissed the corner of her mouth. "It's okay. I understand why you don't like to talk about them, and I've never pushed you because I figured you would tell me in time. I think now that Isabel is coming here, it's time. You've told me pieces of your past but not much about your family. Like I said, I don't need every detail, just enough that it won't be such a shock if anyone else calls for you."
"I want to tell you everything Olivia. You are the one person I want to know me completely. I've never wanted anyone else to know much about me, but you, I want you to know every single facet of my life. You are my forever Olivia and I want you to know me inside and out, just as I want to know you."
"Good. Now, let's go before Rafe and Emma die of starvation." Natalia chuckled and took Olivia's hand, leading her out of their room and down the stairs to join their family and friends for dinner.
Ava enjoyed getting some time with her little brother and stepmom. She had been going to see Reva once every couple of weeks since she moved back to town, but since Olivia's attack, she hadn't seen her and Collin much. Reva may have been a sarcastic bitch to most of the world, but with John and Collin she was just a mom like any other and Ava had made her way into that group. Much like Olivia, Reva was a sucker for children, even grown children, and she took to her stepdaughter with ease. Olivia had some trouble excepting how much her daughter and arch nemesis got along when Reva and Jeffery had first gotten serious, but as time pasted she grew to respect Reva for treating Ava the same as she did Collin and Johnathan. And now that she and Reva were, whatever they were, friends, frenemies, she wasn't sure, she was more than happy that she and Ava got along so well.
Dinner finished and kitchen clean, Olivia and Natalia walked into the living room where everyone else had gathered. Olivia had a beaming smile, giving away that something was up to everyone in the room. Only Ava didn't know, but even if no one knew, everyone would know something was up by the way Olivia was smiling. She was just so excited to give this gift to her daughter.
"Ava, my darling daughter." Olivia started, smiling from ear to ear with a Cheshire cat smile.
"Yes oh mother of mine." Ava answered with the same 'something is going on' tone her mother was using.
"Would you please accompany me to the back yard."
Ava gave a skeptical look to everyone in the room, who all seemed to be sharing a secret she wasn't privy too. "Oookkkkaaayyyy." She stood and headed for her coat before following Olivia through the kitchen and out the back door, the rest of the group following behind them. "What are we doing out here mom?"
"Well, I thought, maybe…" She pulled a key out of her pocket as the came to stand in front of the barn. "You might want to see your new house." She held the key up in front of Ava's face.
Ava's face split wide open with a huge smile. "Are you serious? My house is like done, complete? I can move in?"
"Mmmhmm. Josh and Reva put the final touches on when they were here this afternoon. You ready to check it out?"
Ava jumped at her mother and wrapped her in a huge hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." She then turned and did the same thing to Natalia. "Thank you so much ma. You have no idea what this means to me."
Natalia pulled back from the hug and smiled at her eldest daughter. "There is no need to thank us, we would do anything for you mija. Now open the door, I want to see."
"You mean, you haven't seen it yet?"
"Nope, no one but Josh and his crew, and Reva apparently got a sneak peek this afternoon. We wanted you to be the first one to see your new home."
Ava smiled even bigger if that was possible. She stepped to the door and inserted the key into the lock. As soon as the door opened, an alarm sounded. "What is that?"
"It's the alarm, your passkey is the same as yours for the main house." Josh answered as he walked over and undid the alarm. "Phillip had the entire house wired with the same system as the farmhouse. He wanted to make sure you all were safe. It works the same as the one in your moms house. You can even link it to your phone like your mom and ma did for theirs."
"Wow. I'll have to thank Phillip."
"Yes, you will." Olivia said seriously. "But first, go check out the rest of your house.
They were standing in the main room of the house. It was open with a large living space, dining area, and a nice sized kitchen. The living room had a grey half circle sectional sitting in front of an electrical fireplace with a flat screen tv mounted above it. Behind the couch was a small four seat round table with black and silver chairs. At the far end of the room sat the kitchen. There was a small bar with two stools behind the dining table. The kitchen was rather large for the space it was in with a small island, top of the line stainless steel appliances, and stocked with pots, pans, and dishes. No pictures or decorations had been put up so that Ava was able to make the house into her own space. Her home.
To the left of the living room was a small hallway. The bathroom sat in the center of two bedrooms. While similar in size, the room with a wall adjacent to the living was slightly larger. Ava walked in and her mouth dropped open. There was a queen size bed, black end tables on both sides of it with a matching dresser sitting under the mounted television on the wall across from the foot of the bed. A matching vanity sat on another wall between two doors. One led to the bathroom, and the other led to a descent sized walk-in closet. The other room was similar to hers except it had a full-size bed against one wall under the window with only one end table and a chest of draws. There was also a computer desk sat against another wall and the closet was descent sized, but not a walk in.
"We thought you might like a room for guest to stay the night in, but we also wanted you to have a space to work in that wasn't in your living room or bedroom. Hence this, guest room slash office." Olivia commented as Ava took in the space.
Emma ran around the entire house and then jumped onto the couch, Rafe, Doris, and Reva, with Collin joining her. Natalia, Olivia, Ava, and Josh joining them after Ava finished inspecting her home. Ava turned to her mothers, smiling like an idiot.
"Wow, just wow. I can't believe how great this is. I can't thank you guys enough. You did all this for me. And Josh, you and your guys out did yourselves, this space is amazing. Thank you so much."
"You are more than welcome. If you need help moving in, just give me a call." Josh said with his signature smile. "Now, if you ladies don't mind, I would like to take mine home and spend some time with her. It's getting close to Collins bedtime."
Olivia wrapped her arms around her ex-husband. "Thank you so much Josh. This is more than I expected. Ava's right, you out did yourself."
"Anytime." He replied, pulling back from the hug. "Thanks for dinner and let me know what you and Natalia decide about St. Louis so I can get the ball rolling."
"We will. Thanks for that too. You've really saved us going out there and keeping things on track while we dealt with…" She let the thought die, not wanting to bring down the happy mood surrounding them.
"No problem." He kissed her cheek and then Natalia's before taking Collin from Reva for her to do the same.
Reva did just that, kissing first Natalia and then Ava and lastly Olivia. "Thank you for a wonderful dinner, and for allowing me to be here for this."
"Of course. Thanks for coming Reva. It's been…nice."
Reva smiled her little half smile. "Who would have thought, Olivia Spencer and Reva Shane actually getting along."
"Miracles may never cease." Olivia volleyed back. "See ya around hussy."
"Later harlot." With that Reva swept from the room taking Josh and Collin with her, a smile firmly in place.
Natalia just shook her head at the pair and turned to the rest of the family. "Alright it's time for someone I know to get ready for bed."
"Ah ma. Do I have to? I want to stay here with Ava." Emma whined.
"Yes, you have to. Ava and her house will be here tomorrow."
"But ma…."
"Emma." Natalia said in her no-nonsense voice. "You need a bath and then mommy and I will come read to you."
"But ma…."
"Em, listen to you ma." Olivia interjected. "Scoot."
"Fine." Emma pouted, getting up from the couch as slowly as possible.
Ava couldn't help but snicker at her sister's antics. She bit back her laugh and knelt down in front of Emma. "How about tonight I stay in the house and tomorrow me, you, and Rafe can have a sleep over here?"
Emma instantly perked up. "Really, we can all sleep here tomorrow night?"
"We sure can baby girl."
"Rafe? You'll stay too?"
"Of course, I will munchkin. I wouldn't miss my sisters first night in her new place. Especially if you'll be here." Rafe answered.
"Yay!" Emma jumped up and down and then ran to Doris, grabbing her hand and trying to pull her off the couch. "Come on auntie Doris. I want to go to sleep really fast so that it can be tomorrow sooner."
Doris laughed at Emma's eagerness. "Alright, alright my angel. I'm coming." Doris stood up and straightened her suit jacket. "Actually, Rafe, do you think you could help Em get her bath started? I'd like to speak with your mothers for a moment."
"Sure thing auntie Doris." He said, mimicking the way Emma spoke to her.
Doris simply smirked at him. "Smartass." She mumbled under her breath as she turned back to the other three women in the room. "This is a very nice place you've got here Ava. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks Doris. Maybe after I get settled I can have Ashley over sometime. I know she and Rafe are really getting close, but I see her as a friend now too, and I'd really like to get to know her better."
"I think that's a great idea, and I know Ashley would love to come hang out with you."
"Sweet, I'll head in and make sure Rafe and Emma aren't making a mess of the bathroom instead of getting her in the tub. Feel free to talk in here."
"Thank you Ava. We'll be in shortly." Olivia told her daughter.
"Sure mom." Ava threw her arms around her mother and Natalia. "Thank you guys so much, this place is so awesome." She kissed both their cheeks and headed into the house to check on her siblings.
Olivia smiled after her daughter before switching to her friend. "What's on your mind Doris?"
Doris took a seat at one of the bar stools, Natalia, and Olivia across from her. "I wanted to talk to you about my speaking with Emma."
"Oh?"
"Yes. I think it would be best if I waited." Olivia looked at her questioningly. She didn't mind Doris staying with Emma, in fact, she was grateful for all Doris had done for them, but the goal now was to get their life back to normal, and that meant getting Emma back to sleeping without Doris. "I know we agreed that we needed to start working on Emma getting back to sleeping on her own, but I think we need to see how this goes over first. I've been thinking about it all day and I'm just worried."
"Ava's house finally being done is a good thing." Natalia said, not fully comprehending what Doris was getting at.
"Yes, it is, however, it's still a change. Even though Ava will still be close, she won't be in the house anymore. Rafe's apartment is different. To Emma, it's just another floor in her home. This is different. She can't just get to Ava if she wants to, at night, or any other time."
"She's right sweetheart. As happy as I am for Ava, I am worried about how this is going to affect us. It's only been a week since the trial ended. Emma may not be the only one to have some trouble with this." Olivia agreed.
Natalia was thoughtful for a moment, too much had happened today and she wasn't thinking as clearly or as quickly as she usually did. Then it hit her. "Ava. You're worried about Ava too."
Olivia nodded. "Not just the girls either. Ava and Rafe have only made it through three whole nights without ending up in our bed. And honestly, I'm not sure I'm ready to have us separated yet either."
"Me either, but at some point, we have to start actually moving forward with our lives honey."
"I know, and I want to, just, maybe with baby steps."
Before Natalia could speak further, Doris spoke up. "Before you two talk yourselves into a circle only to end up with the same thought I'm thinking, let me just jump to the end. Let's wait on making any more major changes. See how this weekend goes. Ava jumped on the chance to stay in the house tonight and then have a sleepover with Rafe and Emma tomorrow. Not many young adults would want to hold off on having their own place, especially one this nice. I think Ava might be having some reservations too. I think you two need to see how this weekend goes, and then speak with Ava before she officially moves out here. She may not want to be alone yet anymore then you want her to move out."
"You're right Doris. When the hell did you get so wise?" Olivia quipped.
"I've always been the smart one, you've just failed to notice until now."
Natalia shook her head, laughing, and started towards the door. "On that note, I think I'll head in and start reading to Emma."
Olivia followed behind her. "Come on Wolfe, Emma needs her auntie."
"Yes, yes she does doesn't she."
"I think maybe auntie Doris isn't ready to leave her angel yet either." Olivia tossed over her should as they exited the once barn, setting the alarm and locking the door.
"Perhaps I'm not." Doris admitted shyly.
Olivia let her arm not wrapped around Natalia slip around Doris's waist. "Come here you big softie." She said light heartedly, tugging Doris closer and kissing her cheek. This kiss was for the love of a good friend and the joy she found in having Doris as a prominent figure in not only her life, but her families.