Saving Ma
Summary: After Frank proposed to Natalia, Rafe Ave and Emma team up to help their moms.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and I do not make any profit from this
Chapter 19
They arrived at Seal Beach about a half hour early so they decided to just walk along the beach toward the pier where they were to meet the pastor. Olivia and Natalia walked hand in hand watching Ava and Emma try and catch Rafe as he raced around them, all of their babies laughing and happy.
Natalia looked to Olivia. "I love seeing them so happy together. We couldn't have gotten luckier with our babies. They love each other so much. Ava and Emma have just taken to Rafe so well, and I know it means the world to him."
Olivia smiled. "Yea, they really love having him home. I can't believe Rafe is finally home and Ava is coming home for good in a week. They're both going to be working with us and living with us for the time being. Emma is so happy to have them both home. Everything is just so perfect right now." Olivia looked away going from happy to worried for a moment.
Natalia squeezed her hand and pulled her closer. "Look at me querida." She waited until she had Olivia's eyes. "I know what you're thinking. You're wondering when the other shoe is going to drop aren't you?"
Olivia sighed. "I can't help it. Everything is so good right now, but we have to return home and to the fish bowl of a town we live in. I just know we're going to have some bull to deal with come Monday."
Natalia stopped them and pulled Olivia in wrapping her arms around her waist. "It doesn't matter what happens or what bull we have to deal with. As long as I have you and our kids, I'm good. We can deal with anything thrown at us as long as we're together."
Olivia pulled her in for a soft kiss. "You're right, as long as I have you and our family I can do anything."
She leaned in to kiss her again but was cut off by Ava, "You guys can do that later. If you don't get going we're going to be late for your wedding."
Emma had run a little ahead of them and had stopped hands on hips, Rafe laughed, "Yea, and when Emma asks us why you couldn't get married we will have to tell her, well munchkin we couldn't get them to stop doing their impressions of sucker fishes, but we still love them."
They laughed and Olivia slapped at his arm. "Watch it boy, you start working for me next week and I've heard I can be a real bitch to work for."
Ava and Natalia laughed, but Rafe dropped his head and gave his best pout, dimples included. "But mom, you love me don't you?"
Olivia looked taken aback for a moment before smirking. "Oh you stop. Let's go get us married." They all laughed, walked over to Emma and headed to the pier.
When they arrived the pastor and two others walk over to them.
Olivia smiled and offered her hand to shake. "Hello Pastor Chuck, I'm Olivia Spencer." she motioned to the others, "This is Natalia and our children Ava, Rafe, and Emma."
He shook everyone's hands, "This is my wife Carla and our daughter Laura."
Laura held out her hand, "Hello, when dad told us he was doing a wedding today we offered to come and be your witnesses. Also, I am a photographer and I thought you might like to have some pictures. I brought my camera and a new SD card to give you after the ceremony if you would like."
Natalia smiled. "That would be wonderful. What is your charge?"
Laura shook her head. "No charge. Dad told us your story and it was so awesome I wanted to do this for you as a wedding present. I will just give you the card and you can print your own pictures. If you would like me to set up professional prints or album I will charge you for the materials only."
Natalia smiled and was about to argue but Olivia put her hand on her shoulder and shook her head. "We would appreciate it, Thank you. We will take the SD card but also have you do the album and some prints. We'll exchange information."
Laura nodded happily and went to stand with her mother. Olivia turned and whispered to Natalia. "I'll make sure she's compensated when we pay for the album."
Natalia kissed her nose and smiled.
They talked over with Pastor Chuck all that they wanted and how they would proceed. While they still had good light Laura took a bunch of different poses of the two of them together. She took some of the kids, Olivia with the kids, Natalia with the kids, Olivia with the girls, then with Rafe and the same with Natalia.
After pictures were complete they came together with the Pastor. Natalia and the girls on one side, Olivia and Rafe on the other.
The pastor raised his voice slightly
"We are gathered together on this beautiful evening to share this moment with Olivia and Natalia as they exchange vows of their everlasting love. Who gives these women to be married?"
Ava, Rafe, and Emma beamed and said together. "We do."
Pastor Chuck continued. "As Olivia and Natalia take their vows today, we are privileged to witness the joyous love of a new family - a family that will be nourished and nurtured through the devotion of two separate individuals growing together through the common bonds of love.
May their marriage bring them the peace, joy, comfort and contentment that is known in the hearts of all God's children. And may Olivia and Natalia both look forward to each new season of their marriage - just as the world looks forward to each new season of the year. For all seasons bring with them their own special moments and memories.
An essential requirement of a good marriage is a strong bond of real friendship and trust. Olivia and Natalia, your love for each other will grow deeper with every passing day, but it's important to remember that your love stands on a foundation of genuine, mutual affection and respect for each other. To truly LOVE another person is to be willing to accept both their strong points, and their weak points, with equal measures of understanding and respect.
The vows you are about to exchange, will serve as a verbal representation of the non-verbal emotions that are as real as anything that can be seen, heard or touched.
For it is not the words that you will speak today that will bond you together as one - but the strength of the love and commitment found deep within your souls. Now Olivia and Natalia will share the vows that will cement their family together."
Olivia and Natalia shared a smile as Olivia pulled two long jewelry boxes out of her pockets. They turned around to the kids and Olivia took Rafe's hand but spoke to them all. "When I first met Natalia I had no idea that I was meeting my eternity. I didn't know that I would have the family I always dreamed off. Two loving parents loving, raising, and supporting each other as well as their children together. I didn't know I would receive a son that I would love as if he was born of my own body." She cupped his face as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Natalia smiled taking one of Ava and Emma's hands. "I didn't know that I would find someone that would share my burdens, and my joys. Who would give me two amazing daughters that I love without measure. Two girls that have helped to make me whole." She paused to wipe tears from their faces. "We have gotten you, our babies, a gift."
Olivia took out the necklace from the box in her hand, putting the box back in her pocket. Carla stepped forward to hold the box for Natalia while she pulled one of the two necklaces out.
Natalia smiled caressing the necklace she wore. "These are unity necklaces, Olivia and I both have one we are wearing today and we want to give one to each of you today because yes, we are getting married and giving ourselves to each other, but we are also joining this family forever."
Olivia continued. "These are the only necklaces like them in existence, they are unique just like us and are a symbol of our family, tying us together as one forever, a circle unbroken."
Natalia turned to Ava, lifting the necklace to put in one her. "Ava, I present you this symbol of my undying love for you, my daughter as a symbol of my love and devotion to you." She finished clasping it and kissed Ava's tear stained face.
Olivia turned to Rafe, lifting his necklace. "Rafe, I present you this symbol of my undying love for you, my son as a symbol of my love and devotion to you." She finished clasping it and kissed him as well.
Natalia turned to Carla and took the last necklace and turned back to Emma. "Emma, my beautiful baby, I present you this symbol of my undying love for you, my daughter as a symbol of my love and devotion to you." She finished clasping it and kissed her forehead, caressing her face.
The each turned, Olivia kissed Ava and Emma, and Natalia kissed Rafe then took each other's hand and moved back into position in front of the Pastor.
He smiled, "and now vows for each other. Olivia."
Olivia smiled brightly, "Natalia, when we first met we didn't like each other. We fought hard, but as I eventually let my guard down and let you help me I started to see you for the wonderful woman you are. We became closer little by little until I became dependent on you, but I wasn't just dependent on your help. I was dependent on your company, your friendship, your unwavering faith in me and in your god. I became dependent on the way that with a smile you could light up my day and make anything seem better. Somewhere along the way you stopped being my friend, and my helper in everything. You became the woman that I love, the woman who has saved me. I love you, and I don't know how I ever came to deserve your love but I promise with everything I am to spend the rest of my life earning that love." She slid took the ring from Rafe and slid it on her finger than raised her hands to kiss them.
Natalia had tears streaming taking a deep breath to compose herself. "Olivia, no, when we first met we didn't like each other. But even at our worse I could see the good in you in how you mothered the girls. Then as you let me in I saw the good in you in how you treated me and Rafe. You were there for me through some of the hardest times in my life. You believed in me, believed that I could be more than what I was sure was all I could be. You became the best friend I have ever had, then you became so much more. I came to depend on you too, and not just for the monetary things you did for me and Rafe. You were my greatest comfort and my greatest joy when I was separated from my boy. You helped me be more confident in myself. You helped me make our house a place that our children are proud to call home. A place that for the first time in my life I actually feel at home and that I belong. This family that we have created together is my life. I thank God every day that it is mine. I thank God every day for bringing you and your love into my life, and I promise to cherish you and your love for all the days of my life." She took the ring from Ava and put it on Olivia's finger raising her hands to kiss them as well.
They stared into each other's tear filled eyes and the pastor moved in on, "Olivia and Natalia, in the presence of God, your family and witnesses today, you have spoken the words and performed the rites which unite your family and your lives. It is my greatest joy and privilege to declare you wedded eternal partners. You may now kiss your bride to bond your union forever."
Olivia pulled Natalia in and placed a kiss on her lips. They kissed each other with all the love and joy they had in their hearts for one another.
