Chapter 132

With a heavy sigh, Rafe downed the rest of his Gatorade zero, tossed his laptop bag over his shoulder, and picked up the trash from his snack. It was two minutes to five and his grandmother hadn't showed yet. Pulling out his phone, he sent a quick text to Olivia that he was getting back on the jet and turned toward the terminal.

Just as he reached the door, someone called behind him. "Mr. Spencer-Rivera?"

Rafe spun on his heel and came face to face with a young blond woman. "Yes."

"There is a Clara Rivera at the service counter asking for you. She said you had told her where to go when she got here but she'd forgotten."

"Oh, yeah. Is she still up there?"

"Yes. Would you like me have someone bring her back?"

"Yeah. That'd be great. Thanks."

"No problem sir. I've been informed that Mr. Spaulding's jet is fueled and ready to go. Would you like to board and I'll bring her to you?"

"No. That's okay. I'll wait here for her."

"Alright. Have a good evening Mr. Spencer-Rivera." As she walked away, Rafe could hear her asking for someone to bring his grandmother and her luggage to gate 5A where Rafe was waiting. He sat down and smiled as he waited. Glad he had decided to give the woman time and not just left when she didn't come with him earlier.

Less than five minutes later Mrs. Rivera slowly made her way to Rafe. A young man following behind with a cart full of two suitcases and a very old and warn looking box. Rafe stood to greet her. "I'm glad you decided to come." He said sincerely. Even if he was a little upset it took her the entire three hours to make the decision, he knew both of his moms and his aunt would be happy she came.

"Me too." Was all she said. Looking around quite nervously. She had never flown before and this was all just a little overwhelming. Not only was she about to board her first flight, but she was also standing in front of the grandchild she never dreamed she'd meet about to be reunited with her eldest daughter.

She had sat on a bench outside the airport where a taxi had dropped her off for close to an hour. She had made the decision to walk away from her husband, her home, and the only life she had ever known without so much as a goodbye. She left the cell phone Louis insisted she carry with her on the bed side table along with the last family picture ever taken. Natalia had been fifteen. In the photo, they looked to be just your average Latino family. Louis and Clara stood side by side behind their three children who were seated on stools, Natalia, and Isabel on either side of Javier, both with their hands placed on his shoulders and smiling at the camera.

As Clara sat there thinking, it all overwhelmed her. What if Natalia didn't wish to see her? Rafe said she didn't know he had come. She hadn't seen or spoken to her middle child in twenty years. Perhaps this was a mistake. What if she went to Springfield only to be turned away and then where would she be? Louis would refuse to allow her back home just to spite her. With her mother's recent death and father long since gone, she would have nowhere to go. She had no siblings and few friends to speak of. The longer she sat there the more worried she became.

Just when she was about to head home, tell Louis she had merely gone shopping, a tan skinned girl, no more than eighteen, with a toddler at her side walked past. Clara knew in that moment that it was a sign from God. He was leading her where she needed to go. First with the box from her closet, and now with this young girl and her son who reminded her of what Natalia and Rafe might have looked like back then.

It was ten to five when she finally made her way inside, having forgotten where Rafe said to go, she went straight to the service desk, knowing Rafe was probably preparing to leave and not wanting to miss her chance. She told them who she was but they had no recognition of the name. The second she mentioned Rafael Spencer-Rivera however, they jumped into action. She could only figure that he or his family had dealt with the airline often and didn't want to upset him.

As she walked through the airport, she became more and more nervous, but also ever more determined. This was the right decision. She had allowed her husband to take her daughter from her all those years ago and she'd be damned if she allowed him to cost her the chance to see her again, let alone take another child from her. With that in mind, she straightened her shoulders and held her head high as she approached her grandson. Hoping against hope that her presences would be accepted by both Natalia and Isabel.

"You ready to go?" Rafe questioned, shaking the woman from her thoughts.

"Yes. I believe I am."

"Okay then." He grabbed the two suitcases from the cart and the boy who had been pushing it followed them with the box. Once they were on Spaulding's private jet, her belongings were placed to the side of the door. Rafe tipped the young man and then the doors were closed as they took their seats and buckled in.

The piolet announced that they would take off in just a few minutes and then there was silence. The two remained quiet until well after takeoff, but eventually, she couldn't take it anymore and the elder Rivera woman spoke. "Is this your families plane?"

Startled at the sudden noise amongst the silence, Rafe jumped a little. "Uh, no. this is the Spaulding jet. They're like the richest family in Springfield, and my dad's family."

"Oh. So, you're in touch with him then? Your father I mean."

Rafe rubbed the back of his neck before meeting her gaze. "Um, no. I mean we were. He and ma were married for a little while, but uh, he passed away last year."

"I'm so sorry." She said, placing a comforting hand on his knee. "That must have been difficult for you."

"It was. I mean, I only knew him for a year or so, but it was nice ya know. To have my dad around. It was just me and ma for so many years. Then we came to Springfield and there was my dad. They weren't together at first, he was already married, it's a long story, but eventually he and ma got married but it wasn't long before he died. I miss him, a lot, but…I don't know, if he was still here Olivia might not be, so…God works in mysterious ways is what ma says and I guess I just have to believe that everything happened for a reason. Ya know?"

Clara was very confused at that statement. Wondering what he could have possibly meant about Olivia not being there if his father were still alive. She chose to ignore it, knowing there would be time for the whole story later. After she reunited with her daughter. "I do. I could only hope that God had a plan all those years ago. Maybe this was it. Maybe Natalia needed to be on her own to find what she's been dreaming about since she was a little girl."

Rafe scrunched up his face at that. Wondering how being thrown out of her family could ever have been gods plan for his mother. "What do you mean?"

"Well, is your mother happy Rafael?"

"Yeah. I've never seen her as happy as she is with Olivia."

"Then there you have it. Ever since she was a little girl, all Natalia wanted was a family of her own. She wanted to be a mother and a wife more than anything in the world. I can't imagine Natalia would have met Olivia had she stayed in our home. Even if she had, they wouldn't have been permitted to see one another. If I know Natalia, she wouldn't have allowed herself to. Before being forced to choose between you and her father's wishes, she always did as she was told. She was actually the most well behaved of my children."

"Yeah, I guess. Ma struggled with her feelings for Olivia. It was hard for her cause of the church and all. I had a really hard time too. Not just because of our religious beliefs, just because of who Olivia is, or who I thought she was. Ma went away for a while last summer. On a retreat. When she came back, there was no doubt in her mind that she and Olivia belonged together. She knew before that God was love and he wouldn't have given her the love she had for Olivia if she wasn't meant to act on it, but, I gave her such a hard time that she questioned if maybe she was wrong. That's why she left, but, when she came back, she was different. A good different. She knew what she wanted, what would make her happy, and she didn't even let Olivia herself stop her from getting it."

Again, Clara was a little baffled by some of what her grandson was saying, but chose to ignore the questions swirling in her mind once again. "I'm glad she has finally found her happiness, her familia."

"Me too. Does that mean you're okay with it? Ma being with a woman I mean."

"It will take some time, but I'm trying to be…open, to the idea. If this Olivia makes my daughter happy, then I will do my best to be alright with it. She is the one that sent you to me, that is giving me the chance to reunite with my Natalia, how can I not respect and honor such a woman?"

"Yeah. Mom's pretty great. She's intense though, especially when it comes to protecting Ma. Just a warning."

Clara's face contorted in confusion. "What do you mean, a warning?"

"Well, mom might have sent me to bring you to Springfield, but that doesn't mean she isn't going to give you a stern talking to before she allows you to see Ma. She's kind of intimidating and a little scary, but she just wants to protect Ma. Just because she wants you and Ma to have a second chance, doesn't mean she isn't weary about you being there. And it certainly doesn't mean that she forgives you for hurting Ma. It might have been a long time ago, and it might have been before mom ever met Ma, but mom can hold quite the grudge when she wants to. She's also the most incredibly loving person I have ever met outside of Ma. She loves with her whole heart, and once she lets you in, you're never getting out."

Clara merely nodded. The two falling into a comfortable silence as they both got lost in their own thoughts. Clara knew she had a lot to make up for, and it was going to take a lot of hard work to earn back her daughters trust and love, however, she failed to realize that Natalia had an entire family behind her, one that she would have to prove herself to just as much as Natalia, if not more.

She could tell Rafe was stopping himself from talking about how he truly felt. He had a certain air about him, one that she knew all too well. Natalia would act the very same way when she was younger if she was holding something back from her. She lay her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, trying in vain to not think about the nerves that were stirring inside her at the mere thought of seeing her daughters, Natalia in particular.

A short while later the plane touched down at a small airport. Clara released the strong grip she had on the arm of the seat as she quickly unbuckled, more than ready to be off the plane. Rafe chuckled at his grandmother as he grabbed her bags and his laptop bag, leaving the box for her to grab.

The two walked briskly through the small Springfield airport and out to the car that was waiting for them. Rafe smiled as he placed the bags in the trunk and took the box from Clara to place in there as well. The driver opened the door allowing both of them to slide in before he closed it and quickly made his way back to the driver seat and headed towards the Beacon.

Rafe text his mom as they neared the hotel and as soon as they pulled in, Olivia was at the car to greet her son and mother-in-law. Rafe got out first launching himself into his mom's arms and hugging her tight. More than happy to be back home after having such an emotional time in Chicago and having to hold most of his emotions back. Olivia hugged him just as tight, glad that her son was back where he belonged, knowing she needed to make time to speak with him about the events of the day.

"I'm glad you made it there and back safely." She said, kissing the side of his head. "We'll talk tonight. Okay?"

Rafe nodded against her shoulder as he pulled back. "Okay." He agreed quietly as he stepped to were his grandmother stood silently, playing with the hem of her jacket, much the same way Natalia would when she was nervous. "Mom, this is Clara Rivera. Clara this is my mom, Olivia Spencer-Rivera."

Olivia held out her hand to the timid woman. "It's nice to meet you. I'm glad you decided to come."

Clara shook her hand firmly before releasing it. "It's nice to meet you as well. Your son speaks very highly of you."

Olivia blushed just a little. "He's a good boy. What say we head in out of the cold? I'll have one of the bellhops bring your things up."

"Yes, that would be nice. Rafael, could you please grab the box I brought with me. It's very important to me."

"Of course." Rafe answered. "Go ahead in mom, I'll just grab the box and my laptop bag and meet you up there. Are we going to your suit or Isabel's?"

"Neither. I've booked a room for your grandmother, three fourteen. I'll send out Aaron for her bags and we'll meet you up there. Oh, and could you call your sister for me and see if she could please check on Emma? I haven't made it back down there in a while."

"Sure mom. Ava still in her office?"

"Yes. I tried to get her to stop working, but you know Ava, when she's upset she dives into work."

"Sounds like someone else I know." Rafe chuckled as he turned towards the trunk before the hand headed for the side of his head could make contact.

Olivia chuckled as well as she led Clara into the hotel and towards the front desk. "Robert, this is Mrs. Rivera, she'll be staying in the suite I booked earlier, three fourteen. Could you send Aaron out to get her bags from Rafe and bring them up please."

"Yes ma'am Mrs. Spencer-Rivera. Here's her key, and I also informed the kitchen to comp anything she orders as you instructed."

"Thank you Robert." She turned to walk away, leading her mother-in-law to the elevators. Just before making it there, she saw just the man she needed. "Greg."

"Yes Mrs. Spencer-Rivera?"

"Could you do me a huge favor and check on Natalia for me. Maybe engross her in some of the gossip going around this place." At his paled face she laughed lightly. "Oh, come on Greg, you and I both know there is plenty going around right now and you are right at the center of it." She said with a raised brow.

He blushed further as he tried to compose himself. "Uh…um…" He stammered.

"Relax Greg. There has always been plenty of gossip in this place and you have always been the center man, especially when the rumors first started about Natalia and me. If I was going to fire you for it, it would have been back then. I would just like my wife to be distracted from this morning events for a little while. Can you do that for me please? She needs to relax and I have somethings to do before I can get back up to her. Isabel went for a walk to calm herself down a little, Ava is holed up in her office, Rafe has been on an errand for me, and Emma is far too young to be the one comforting her Ma. You are the only other person I trust to be with her right now."

"Of course, Mrs. Spencer-Rivera. Natalia was my friend long before she was my boss. I would do anything to make this easier for her, and for you. Your family has been through so much. I can imagine this morning didn't help things."

"You would be correct in that assumption." She leaned closer to him and lowered her voice so only Greg could hear her. "Once the shock of seeing her father wore off, the reality that he was in my face, much like Frank had been a time or two, kind of settled into her brain. Now she's freaking out, thinking that something is going to happen to me again. I had to come down here before I could get her completely calmed."

"I'll take care of it. Or try at least."

"Thank you Greg. I'll be up as soon as possible. Oh, and please inform me when Isabel has returned."

"I will Mrs. Spencer-Rivera."

As she walked away, guiding Clara into the elevator by her elbow, she turned back to her most loyal employee. "And it's Olivia." She just got out before the doors slid shut.

"It seems both of my daughters have been upset by my husband." Clara said. Speaking for the first time since getting out of the car.

"Yes. Isabel is fuming but Natalia, well, Natalia is more scared then angry."

"What, may I ask, has her so scared?"

"We can speak about it when we get to your room. As I told my banquet manager, there is plenty of gossip floating around my hotel, I'd prefer not to add to it."

Clara merely nodded as the doors opened and Olivia walked out and led her down the hall to the room she had apparently booked for her. Olivia slid the key card in and opened the door, holding it open as she motioned for her mother-in-law to walk in first.

Clara stepped into the spacious room, taking in her surroundings. Never before had she stayed in such a luxurious room, and she felt a little out of her element and completely overwhelmed. She would speak to Olivia about staying in a far less expensive hotel later, for now, they needed to have whatever conversation was necessary in order for to see her daughter.

Although she had been waiting twenty years for this time to finally come, every moment since arriving at the hotel where she knew her daughter was had felt like an eternity and she just wanted to go and see her now. But she knew this was only going to happen on Olivia's terms. She had met women like the one that was apparently her daughter-in-law, and she knew just from meeting her, that Olivia ran the show, and the people around her merely followed orders.

Olivia took a seat at one on the chairs in the main area and gestured for Clara to sit as well. "Please, sit. I believe you and I should have a little chat before I take you up to see Natalia."

Clara sat on the edge of the sofa, feeling much like a child about be scolded, and by someone young enough to be her daughter. But she would bear whatever was necessary to have a chance at forming a relationship with her long-lost daughter. "Yes, I suppose we should."

"I can assume that Rafe informed you of what transpired this morning between your husband and my wife."

"He did. Not in complete detail, however, I know my husband, and I can imagine how ill-behaved he was."

"Yes, well, I have no desire to relive that experience, what I would like to do, is find out what your intentions are. Natalia has been through more than enough today, and I will not have her upset again as she was this morning. I'm sure you heard me speaking with Greg. She is still quite upset."

"I have no intention of upsetting her further. I merely wish to see my daughter. To have a chance to speak with her, to apologize, not just for my husband's actions this morning, but for allowing him to remove her from our home all those years ago. I failed her then, and do not wish to fail her now."

"Good. Because I will warn you now, if you do or say anything to make matters worse, you will not like the outcome. I was lenient with your husband this morning, do not make the mistake of thinking that the case will be the same for you." Her voice dropped to dangerous level. "I do not take lightly to people upsetting my wife, one wrong move and you will not only wish you'd stayed in Chicago, but I will also make certain your life is far more miserable then I imagine it already is with a husband such as yours."

Clara swallowed audibly. "Of course. I only wish to have a chance to make amends with my daughter. If she does not want me here, I will go. I just hope she is willing to give me the chance to make up for the grave mistake I made twenty years ago."

"Natalia is a very forgiving person. She will allow you to say your piece, I can guarantee that. Afterwards however, I make no promises on what her wishes will be. I sent Rafe to bring you here because I believe it will be beneficial to both Natalia and Isabel, that being said, if Natalia says she's not ready, or that she can't do this, you will return to this room and give her the time she needs. Is that understood?"

"Yes, perfectly."

"You cannot just run back to Chicago, to the scum you call a husband. I know my wife, and it is very likely that she will need some time, if you just leave, you will only prove what she already thinks, that she isn't worth it. That you don't want her anymore then her father does. I will not stand for such thoughts to take hold in her brain. Running away is as bad an offence as what Mr. Rivera did this morning and I will not take it laying down. Am I making myself understood?"

Clara swallowed the lump in her throat and looked Olivia directly in the eyes. "Yes, you are. I understand that I have a lot to make up for when it comes to Natalia. I also know that she is going to be hurt. I know she is going to think that I am only here now because of Isabel. That if Isabel had returned home with her father that I wouldn't have bothered, and truth be told, if Rafe hadn't showed up at my door, I wouldn't have. But Isabel is not the main reason I am here. Yes, I wish to see her, to not lose her as I did Natalia, but Natalia is my main focus. I owe her far more then I will ever be able to give her. I am aware that I have been absent from her life for far too long, but I too know my daughter. I will weather the storm I know she is going to throw at me. I will wait however long it takes for her to be ready, and I will be here to assure her that she is the reason I am here. Yes, Isabel is a part of it, as she is also my child and I do not wish to go twenty years without speaking to her as I did Natalia, but Natalia is why I am here, to try my very best to mend our relationship. I want nothing more than to be a part of her life again, a part of the family she has made for herself."

"Good. I'm glad you understand that this isn't going to be easy, and that you have a lot to make up for." Olivia stood and smoothed down her skirt. "Now, shell we head up and see your daughter?"

Clare too stood. "Yes, I would very much like to do that."

Just as she was about to open the door, there was a knock. Opening it, she was faced with her son, carrying the box his grandmother asked him to get with her suitcases by his feet.

"I thought Aaron was bringing them up?"

"He was." Rafe answered, setting the box down on the table before retrieving her suitcases and taking them into the bedroom. "I could hear that you were talking so I told him I would take them in." He said as he emerged from the room. "Ava said she checked on Emma just a little while ago and she was fine, watching movies with Jane. I tried to get her to stop working for the day, but…" He trailed off, knowing that Olivia understood what he wasn't saying.

"I'll have to make time to speak with her later as well." She mumbled under her breath as she pinched the bridge of her nose, a sure sign she was stressed. "I'm taking your grandmother up to see Natalia now. You didn't happen to see Isabel did you?"

"Oh, yeah, she said she was headed to the bar for a drink before going back up to see Ma. She seemed a little out of it."

"I can imagine. Okay," she started, pinching the bridge of her nose again. She was supposed to still be taking it easy since she was still recovering. It seemed that wasn't going to happen since every member of her family needed her. She could feel the headache forming and just knew that damn stutter would be making an appearance before the days end.

"Here's what's going to happen. You are going to drag your sister out of that damn office and take her down to watershed to share a drink with your aunt. I don't care how you do it, just make it happen, I will not have her holed up in that office like she was after Frank. This was nowhere near as serious and she needs to get out of that head of hers. You, are going to get out of your own head as well." Olivia said firmly, her voice raising as she went.

Rafe looked to his feet, feeling guilty for allowing his mother to see just how effected he himself was from his grandfather's appearance in their lives. "I'm sorry mom."

Olivia exhaled loudly and brought her arms around her son. "No need to apologize bub. I know you're worried, but I'm fine, nothing happened to me and nothing is going to h-happen to me."

Rafe pulled back from the embrace and wiped away the stray tear that had fallen from his eye. "I know, it just, it brought back those memories, you know."

"I know baby." She cooed, placing a hand on his cheek. "And we will t-talk about all of this later. You, me, Ma, and Ava. But first, I need to go check on your Ma and let her see her mother. Just, p-please, try not to think about this morning, or what happened with Frank."

As Olivia's stutter retuned, Rafe quickly changed his demeanor, from one of an upset child, to the man he needed to be. "Take a deep breath mom, calm down."

"I'm fine Rafe."

"No, you're not. You only stutter when you're upset. Ma will worry if you stutter up there."

Olivia took a few deep breaths. "Okay, you're right. I'm going to calm down before we head up there, and you know what will help?"

"If I go get Ava out of her office?" He asked cheekily.

"Yes. Thank you my son."

"Sure thing mom." He turned his attention to his grandmother. "I uh, I guess I'll see ya later. Good luck with Ma."

"Thank you mijo. And good luck with your sister, from the sounds of it you don't have an easy mission ahead of you."

"You have no idea." He said as he made his way towards the door.

Once Rafe shut the door, Clara sat down in front of Olivia once more. Tentatively, she placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's going to be okay. I know my Natalia; she'll be happy you did this for her."

"That's far from my biggest p-problem."

"Oh? And may I ask what is? Surely it's not this minor stutter of yours."

Olivia looked up at the woman stood before her. Actually, taking the time to really look at her. She had seen aspects of Mr. Rivera that matched Natalia, but this woman, she looked almost as similar to her wife as Isabel did. Her eyes a lighter brown, and her skin aged and wrinkled, but without a doubt, a sure relation to Natalia.

"A-actually, it kind of is. I'm still recovering, and I'm supposed to be taking it easy. The stutter only occurs if I'm angry, tired, or st-stressed, all things that Natalia is not okay with."

"Have you always had it?"

"Uh, no. It's an unfortunate side e-effect after the incident in January."

"I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't know much, Louis wouldn't allow me to watch the trial, but I know a little from Isabel, and from what little I do know, I can tell it was an awful experience."

"Yes, it was. But, we're getting through it, as a family. I've mostly healed, just a l-limp every now and again, and of course, the stutter. The emotional scars are much worse, especially for Natalia and our kids."

"I'm sure for you as well." Clara commented as she gently rubbed Olivia's back.

"Yeah, well, I'm more then used to this sort of thing." Realizing she'd said far more then she meant to, Olivia quickly stood. "I think I'm okay now. Let's go and see Natalia."

Clara could tell that Olivia no longer wished to discuss the matter and silently followed her out of the room and back down to the elevator. Riding it to the top floor where Olivia and Natalia's personal suite was located.

Taking a deep breath, Olivia slid her key card into the lock. "You ready for this?" She asked before pulling the card back up.

"I have waited a very long time for this moment. As nervous as I am, I am more than ready."

Olivia nodded and opened the door. Glad when Natalia wasn't in the sitting area. She could faintly hear water running in the master bath and figured Natalia must have decided on a shower once Greg got her calmed down. "If you'd like to take a seat, I'll just go and get Natalia."

"Are you going to tell her I'm here?"

"I didn't tell her Rafe went to Chicago, and she doesn't know you're here as of yet. I didn't want to get her hopes up."

Clara nodded, understanding her reasoning for not telling Natalia she was sending Rafe. "I think you should tell her. I want it to be her choice to see me or not. I think surprising her the way Louis did would be a mistake, even though I am not here for the same reason he was, I think she deserves some warning."

Olivia nodded. "I suppose you're right." Without another word, she went towards the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Taking a deep breath, she silently opened the en-suite door and stepped inside, enjoying the view of her wife's silhouette behind the glass door as water washed over her naked body. "Natalia, honey?"

Natalia jumped a little, having not heard her wife enter the restroom. "Hey, there you are. Where did you disappear to?"

"I uh, just needed to take care of something. Are you just about done in there? I need to talk to you."

Natalia bit her lip, knowing just from Olivia's tone that it was something serious. She turned off the water and stepped from the shower, allowing Olivia to drink in her naked form for a moment before raising her arms for her to wrap a towel around her.

Olivia hugged her wife close as she held the towel around her, kissing her neck before pulling back and claiming her lips in a chaste but loving kiss. "Hey."

"Hi." Natalia kissed her once more. "What did you do this time?" She asked, knowing that Olivia had done something just by looking at her.

"Why don't you get dressed first, then I'll tell you." Olivia said, trying to buy herself a little time.

"Olivia, please just tell me. I can't take much more today. I'd rather you just tell me so we can deal with it."

"It's nothing bad. At least I hope you don't think it's bad."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing." Olivia said as innocently as she could. Natalia just looked at her, telling her without words to spit it out. "I didn't do anything sweetheart, well, not really." She wrapped her arms around her wife once more and kissed her sweetly. "But there is someone here to see you. Someone I hope you'll be happy to see."

"Who?" Is all Natalia said as she removed herself from Olivia's arms and moved to the bedroom to get dressed.

"Can you please just get some clothes on first."

"Olivia…" She was cut off with a quick kiss. "Olivia…" And another. "Liv!..." With each kiss her resolve to be upset that Olivia wouldn't tell her was melting away. After the third and far more heated kiss, she relented. "Fine. Will you grab me something out please?" She asked as she moved to the dresser and pulled out matching bra and panties.

Olivia kissed her once more and moved to the closet pulling out a black pencil skirt and red button-down blouse with a black camisole and sat silently on the bed as she watched her wife dress. Soaking up the sight of her very sexy wife, wishing clothes were coming off instead of going on and that they were locked in their suite for a far different reason.

Once Natalia was dressed, she quickly went to the en-suite to dry her hair and put on a thin layer of make-up. Not knowing who she would be meeting, she wanted to look professional as always. As soon as she was ready, she walked back into the bedroom and placed herself on Olivia lap, wrapping her arms around her neck and leaning in for a kiss.

"Now, who exactly will I be meeting today and when?"

Olivia bit her lip and tightened her hold around Natalia's waist. Mustering her courage, she decided to just spit it out, much like pulling off a band aid. "I may have sent Rafe to Chicago to get your mom and she might be sitting on the couch right now." She said in a rush. Taking a much-needed breath afterwards.

"You what?" Natalia asked loudly, but without an once of anger, only shock. Standing from her lap she began pacing the room. "You brought my mother here, and she's out there, right now, waiting for me?"

Olivia stood as well and reached out for her wife, only to be waved off. "Are you upset?" She asked. When met with silence she waited another minute, just standing and watching her pace. "Sweetheart? Natalia?" Finally, she grabbed onto her shoulders and made her stop. "Honey, talk to me."

"I don't know what to say Olivia." Her voice was stern and Olivia couldn't tell if it was anger or still just shock. "First I have to deal with my father this morning, then Isabel takes off, Greg told me Ava is throwing herself into work again after this morning, I haven't even been able to pull myself together enough to check on Rafe or Emma, and now, now you tell me my mother is just outside that door." She plopped down onto the bed, unsure of what she was trying to say or if she could handle anymore at the moment.

Olivia knelt down in front of her and took her hands in her own. "I know a lot's happened today baby. I know it was difficult for you to deal with your father. And Isabel taking off like she did was not what you were hoping for, but I think she just needed some time. She stood up to your father too. And then you two had a very long and emotional talk. It was a lot and I think you both needed a break and that's why she went for a walk. As for Ava, she's just being my daughter, overly dramatic as ever. Now, I'm not saying she isn't justified in being a little upset, but it's not like your dad laid even a finger on me, he just screamed in my face, he wasn't the first or the last to do that. I'll talk to Ava this evening and calm her down. Emma is fine. She was freaked out earlier, yes, but between movies and endless ice cream, Jane said she's back to her old self, she is even taking her down to the pool in just a bit. Rafe has his own issues with your family, and he will need some time, but he's okay. He, Ava, and Isabel are down at Watershed right now."

She paused to take a breath and rose to sit next to Natalia on the bed, her knees hurting from kneeling on the hard floor. She moved a piece of hair behind Natalia's ear and kissed her cheek. "As for your mother, I'm sorry I didn't speak to you first, I just, I knew if there was any chance of getting her here, it had to be before your father returned to Chicago. I thought after learning that she didn't feel the same as your father did about you, that you might want to see her, and this was the only chance we would have."

Natalia just sat for a moment; her eyes fixed on their joined hands. After a few short minutes, she looked into the beautiful green eyes she had fallen so in love with. "I know you only wanted to do what you felt was right, but I really wish you would have talked to me first. I, it's a lot to handle in one day."

"I know, I know, and I'm sorry. We agreed I wouldn't make these decisions without you anymore, and I shouldn't have. You were just so upset and I really wanted to do whatever I could to make it better for you. I asked Phillip if we could use the jet and had Rafe fly out there so he would beat your father there. I didn't tell you because if she didn't come, I didn't want you to be hurt anymore then you already are. I'm so sorry honey."

Natalia pecked her lips and leaned their foreheads together. "I know you just wanted to fix it, but honey, you can't. This, what happened with my papa, only time can heal those wounds."

"I know. If you're not ready to see her, I can send her away, we can wait until you're ready. I already told her if you didn't want to see her that it wouldn't happen until you were."

"Does Isabel know she's here?"

"No, I wanted you to see her first, and she wanted to see you first. If it helps, I don't think she's anymore ready for this then you are."

"I guess I can speak with her. It can't be any worse than papa."

"I don't think it's going to be bad at all Sweetheart. She wants to see you."

"Okay." The two shared a few short kisses before rising from the bed and heading for the door. These kisses meant to assure Natalia that Olivia was there and would be right beside her through all of this. Weather the meeting with her mom go good or bad, Olivia wasn't going anywhere.