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 24

The rest of the week went by in a blur. They took care of moving around offices and getting Ava's office set up. Olivia and Natalia sat down and figured out what things Natalia should take care of and what duties Rafe and Ava would take over. Once it was down on paper Natalia realized what Olivia was talking about. They had been stretching themselves thin. This would free them up to have more time at home with their family.

They finished getting their room situated with all their things. They got Ava's room finished and all their clothes from vacation washed and put up. They spent the week immersed in Beacon business and getting their home prepared for them all. They spent no time outside of their bubble other than Natalia giving Rafe a list for the grocery store Tuesday. They hadn't run into anyone outside of work all week. By Saturday they were at the airport to pick up Ava and were exhausted.

Rafe and Emma had stayed home to start dinner. Olivia and Natalia were waiting, Ava was set to be there in about a half hour. They were sitting leaning against each other talking quietly when a voice broke through.

"You know, I heard about this but if I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have totally believed it." A gravelly voice said.

They looked up and Olivia sighed. "Reva, what brings you here? Running off on Jeffery and joining the circus? I hear they are looking for the bearded lady act."

"Ha, no. I wouldn't want to out shine your lady of the night routine. What happened, run out of men and decided to start in on the unsuspecting women in this town?" She turned to Natalia who was not amused. "Are you sure you know what you're getting into with this one? She will chew you up, spit you out and move on to the next marriage so fast your head will spin."

Natalia was up and in her face so fast neither Olivia nor Reva had time to react. "One more word in my presence against my wife and I will make you eat them. You've had more marriages then she has and she is twice the woman you will ever be, get over yourself."

Olivia was up and by her side in an instant. When she stopped speaking Olivia pulled her back into her wrapping her arms around her from behind, resting her chin on Natalia's shoulder smirking at Reva. Hoping for some control over her little tiger and for Reva to back off before Natalia really let loose.

Reva laughed, "I've gotta say Spencer, you have yourself a spitfire there. Well I should be going. I just dropped off Jeffery for some business thing." she pushed Collin's stroller and moved past them. She looked over her shoulder as she passed. "Olivia congratulations, Natalia just remember I warned you."

Natalia lunged toward her and Olivia tightened her hold pulling her back. She whisper in her ear as Reva cackled and walked away, "She's not worth it princess. I love you."

Natalia deflated and melted back into her. She was about to respond but a voice from behind stopped her. "I swear I can't be gone a week without you two getting into trouble Ma."

They whirled around and Natalia took her in her arms. "Welcome home baby. It's not getting into trouble, it's taking out the trash." She said as she leaned back.

Ava and Olivia burst out laughing. Ava hugged her mom and turned back to Natalia. "What was her problem?"

Olivia sighed. "She was just warning Natalia that being married to me wasn't a good idea."

Ava frowned, "I will talk to her."

Olivia held up a hand. "It's not necessary. She's just full of piss and vinegar. No need to rock the boat at your dad's."

Ava shook her head. "No mom. You don't disrespect her unless she gets in your face. She needs to back off and not disrespect my mother if she wants me around. I won't have it."

Natalia beamed with pride in her. "See, we love you. Don't argue querida. Now let's get you home and fed. Rafe and Emma are there finishing up dinner."

Olivia smiled, "Yea. If we want food we better go before those two eat us out of house and home before we make it back." Ava laughed and they headed out.

When they got home Ava was swarmed by her brother and sister for hugs and kisses. They all settled down to dinner and Olivia and Natalia gave her the rundown of what happened after the staff meetings and what they had accomplished during the week.

After dinner Olivia washed dishes while Rafe and Emma dried and put away. Natalia took Ava upstairs to show her the bedroom they set up for her.

She opened the door and helped her carry her luggage in. "Ok, we gave you a bigger bed than you had before. We also moved all your things from downstairs, but feel free to do whatever you want with the room when your things from San Francisco gets here tomorrow."

Ava looked around in awe. All of her things were put away and there were family pictures from their trip and photos of the wedding placed around the room. There was a new comforter and pillows on her bed. The curtains were freshly laundered and matched her room nicely. Even with her adopted mother who was good to her she had never felt this accepted and loved.

She turned to Natalia with tears in her eyes and hugged her, "thank you so much Ma. It's great." she choked out.

Natalia held her tightly. "Your welcome, but what's wrong baby?"

Ava held on tighter. "It's just... I finally feel like I am home, that I belong for the first time in longer than I can remember. You and mom gave me a home."

Natalia just held her slightly rocking, small tears in her own eyes at the heartache in her oldest. She knew what Ava had gone through with losing Max. Olivia had told her what a hard time she have when her adoptive father left her mother. Then when her mother died when she was barely sixteen and having to live with a less then accepting Aunt until she was eighteen. It was about time for her to feel settled and she was glad that she had helped her feel this way.

Olivia walked in seeing them in tears and rushed to them wrapping her arms around them both. "What's the matter baby, what happened?" she asked rubbing Ava's back.

Ava lifted her head and kissed Olivia's cheek. "Nothing's wrong mom. I'm just home. Thank you" she kissed them both again and moved away and lifted her case to her bed.

Olivia looked to Natalia confused, but she just shook her head and moved over to the bed. "Do you need help unpacking sweetheart?"

Ava shook her head. "No Ma, I'm just going to unpack these bags and I'll be back down for the movie with Emma." Natalia nodded kissing her cheek and took Olivia's hand bringing her out of the room.

Once out of the room Olivia pulled Natalia into her arms sensing that she was still upset. "What was that, is she ok?"

Natalia burrowed in kissing her neck softly. "She's fine, she just feels like she's home." Natalia explained what had happened and what Ava had said. "My heart just hurts for her and what she has been through. I'm so happy she feels she is home now."

They hugged for a moment and headed down stairs to prepare popcorn and snacks for movie night. Ava came down a little while later clean faced and happy. They watched movies with Natalia sitting in Olivia's lap, Ava beside them, Rafe beside her with Emma draped over them.

The next day saw the arrival of Ava's moving truck. They brought in the things that would stay there, then led the truck to the Beacon storage space and unloaded the rest in one of the large storage lockers.

They thanked the movers and headed to Company for dinner after talking to Buzz finding out Frank left for a week long camping trip the day before.

They entered laughing at something Rafe had said and were greeted with silence. There were a few tables filled and all of them were staring at them. Olivia was about to go off but Natalia placed a hand on her back and shook her head slightly. Olivia sighed and nodded moving to the table the kids had acquired across the room from the other diners.

The sat and Emma looked up. "Mommy, why are those people staring at us?"

Olivia sighed. "Do you remember us talking to you about people that don't understand our family and that sometimes they will act funny or angry?" Emma nods, "Well bean, these are some of those people."

Natalia took Olivia's hand, "Not everyone is going to be happy that we're married. They won't all accept our family, but as long as we are together it doesn't matter. We love each other and we love you kids and that's all we need."

Rafe nudged Emma's shoulder. "Yea munchkin, people just don't know how awesome we are."

Emma shook her head. "People are silly mommy."

Olivia smiled "Yes they are baby."

They just ignored the other diners and went about ordering dinner when the waitress came over. Buzz came over when he saw them there. "Hey guys, how's it going? I haven't seen you in here since last Monday."

Natalia smiled. "We've just been really busy getting the house ready for Ava's move and business has been really busy as well."

Buzz nodded his understanding, "Well, call me this week and I will deliver lunch to the Beacon for you. Can't let you get too used to all that fancy food you serve over there."

They all laughed and Olivia smiled up at him. "We will Buzz, one day this week. You can join us for lunch." He nodded and headed back to the kitchen.

A little while later they were finishing up eating dinner when Doris came in. She walked over with a smirk on her face. "Well I see your back from vacation. I had thought I may hear from you but no, silence. Then I hear you got married and thought no, Olivia would have called or something to tell me but now I see rings. Well Spencer I guess I know where I stand." She was smirking but they could see the hurt in her eyes.

Olivia stood and went to her. "Oh shit Doris, it wasn't like that I swear. I was going to call when we got home then everything was so hectic and I haven't talked to anyone outside of business except Buzz only because I saw him while getting coffee."

Olivia took her hand. "Please join us and we will fill you in on everything."

Doris sat and ate her own dinner listening to everything that happened on vacation and since they got home. Once they were done filling her in, she just sat dumbfounded. "You Spencer's work fast." she smiled and looked to Emma "You know, if I worked with you I could have you taking over for me by the time you're in high school."

Emma looked to her solemnly, "I'm sorry Ms. Doris but I will have taken over the world by then and won't have time to do your job for you," she deadpanned.

Everyone cracked up at the look of shock on Doris's face. Then Doris lost it and almost fell out of her chair laughing. "Oh my god I love this kid."

Emma just smiled brightly and gave a high five to her brother and sister. Everyone calmed and Olivia turned back to Doris. "I am so sorry I didn't call you last Monday when we got back. I hope you know that I value your friendship. My head was just stuck in the legal aspects of it all and with everything at the Beacon and getting the house moved around, I've been running ragged."

Doris held up a hand and smiled softly, "its ok. I understand. It sounds like you had a more than full week."

Natalia placed a hand on her arm. "Why don't you call us tomorrow and we will figure out a good evening to have you and Ashlee over for dinner. I will cook you a big meal and we can show you our wedding photos and video if you want. We still need to decide what prints we want."

Doris beamed, "That sounds wonderful. I'll look at my planner and call tomorrow."

They talked a few more minutes and all headed out. They returned home and finished helping Ava put all of her belongings away. They settled Emma in bed after her bath and kissed the other two good night and headed to bed themselves. It had been a long day. Hopefully things would calm a bit now that Ava was home and they could train her and Rafe, and get back into a normal home routine.

After changing and brushing teeth Olivia and Natalia settle into bed together. Natalia curled into Olivia's side. She snuggled in and kissed her neck softly. "I'm so happy Ava is finally home querida and totally moved in."

Olivia smiled happily. "Yes it's so awesome. We have all of our kids' home and start to really merge them into the business tomorrow. Rafe is settling in and adjusting nicely to being out. I emailed the judge Friday and when he email back he seemed happy with his progress and congratulated us on the wedding and I informed him of us filling for the name change. Hopefully that will go through in the next week or so like Mel said. I have to have her send him a copy of Rafe's name change when it comes through for his records."

Natalia sighed. "Everything is just working out so well. I'm so happy, you make me so happy querida."

Olivia shifted and kissed her lips. "You make me happy too baby. The happiest I think I have ever been."

The kissed again then settled back into each other. They fell asleep shortly after, ready for the week to come.