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 48

The next day they all met at the barbeque. Olivia and Natalia found a place under some trees where they could see all the activities and still keep Natalio occupied with his toys and out of harm's way. Beth, Ava, Ashley, Whitney, Doris and Blake set up their blankets next to theirs and sat talking with them while Emma, Mateo, Rafe and Phillip all went to do the activities.

Doris lounged with Blake leaning against her. "So, did I hear Mateo call Phillip daddy?"

Natalia smiled. "He asked last night. He wanted to share him with Emma the way they share us. It was very cute and Phillip told him it was ok."

Doris looked to Olivia. "And you're ok with this?"

Olivia nodded. "I meant so much to him I couldn't tell him no. As long as Phillip stays on the up and up I'm ok with it."

Doris shrugged looking back out to the three legged race the four were running in. Rafe and Emma against Mateo and Phillip. They were in front of all the others, neck and neck with each other. They crossed the finish line seemingly at the same time and Rick called it a tie causing both kids to cheer and hug each other.

They untied their legs and came over. Rafe and Phillip collapsed onto the blankets next to their respective partners. Emma and Mateo came bounding up behind them. Emma was bouncing in place. "Did you see mommy? We won together, all of us. Did you see Ma?"

Olivia and Natalia smiled. "Yes we did jellybean. You guys did so well." Natalia said pulling them down to hug.

Mateo stood back up. "Can we go with Mr. Bill? He has water balloons for a fight. But it's not a real fight just throwing water on each other."

Olivia chuckled. "Yes go ahead, just stay in the clearing where we can see you." They bounded off to find Bill.

As they ran off Reva was walking up. Olivia groaned. "To what do we owe the displeasure Reva? We're trying to have a fun family day."

Reva held up a hand. "I was just coming over to see how you guys were doing. I heard about the kidnapping and bombing."

They all looked up shocked. Olivia cleared her throat. "O-kay. We are fine, nothing lasting." She said unsure of her sincerity.

Reva nodded, "Good, I'm glad to hear it." At Olivia's look of disbelief she sighed. "Look, we may not get along but I don't wish you dead or any of you taken. I would never want to see something like that happen to any of your family. We may bust each other's chops but I don't want you dead for god sakes, and with Jeffery still away I thought it important to check on Ava and her family."

Olivia's face softened. "Thank you for your concern Reva. We are all ok and the ass that started it all is in jail. How long is he supposed to be gone?"

Reva looked down on a sigh. "I don't know. He said he wouldn't rest until he caught Edmond and made sure we were all safe from him. There's no telling. I just wish he would have stayed to keep us safe from here."

Olivia shook her head. "Well for your sake I hope he gets back soon."

Reva nodded, "Thanks, now, enough of this mushy stuff. I need to get my boy from Billy before he corrupts him." They all laughed and she walked off.

Doris turned to Olivia. "What was that all about? I thought you hated each other."

Olivia sighed. "I don't hate her. I can't stand her most of the time and she's just a trouble making gossip but we were friends once upon a lifetime ago." She shrugged and they went back to talking and watching Emma and Mateo gang up on Lizzy, soaking her.

Phillip looked up at Beth. "Where's James? I thought he was coming today. Emma has been asking for him."

Beth shrugged, "I thought he was coming, but he's not answering his phone. Maybe he's just running behind."

Phillip sighed. "I hope he comes. I was really wanting to have all the kids together today."

Beth kissed his cheek. "I know you did. I'm sure he'll be here soon." They went back to watching the kids play.

They spent the day just enjoying each other and watching the kids play. They had revolving visitors all day. Buzz and Lillian came by, sitting and talking for a while. Josh came over talking about their remodel and telling them again how happy he was for them. Remy and Christina dropped by just to say hi while making the rounds. People came and went, the day was nice.

Mateo and Emma collapsed on the blanket next to their moms a while later. They had just won the balloon toss. "Ma, mommy, did you see us, we won?" Emma said excitedly playing with Natalio's hands. Mateo just lay there with his eyes closed exhausted.

Natalia smiled at them, "Yes my baby, we were all watching. I'm so proud of you. What did you win?"

Mateo held up an envelope. "I don't know, I didn't open it."

Olivia took it and opened it smiling. "It's a gift certificate for two free Ice cream Sundays at Company."

He sat up and high fived Emma, both yelling, "Woohoo!" and he collapsed again. Emma giggled at him and continued to play with the baby.

Natalia sat back and watched her family. They were all so happy. Olivia had pulled Mateo's head into her lap and they were talking about all he and Emma had done already today while she played with his hair. Emma was playing with the baby talking to Lizzy about dresses for Lizzy's upcoming wedding. Emma was to be flower girl and Bill just watched them with an indulgent smile.

Ava was laying with her head in Ashley's lap talking to Whitney and Rafe who were sitting close together, and Ash was running her fingers through her hair. Doris and Blake were sitting talking to Beth and Phillip about an upcoming fundraiser that Spalding was putting on for underprivileged youth and discussing venue options. The Beacon was top on the list and they were hoping to fund a new community center.

Her family and all of their closest friends were happy, enjoying their day. After all they had been through since Olivia's transplant and Gus dying, they were thriving. Natalia was so overjoyed that it brought a tear to her eye.

Olivia noticed the tear and moved toward her wrapping her in a hug, kissing her lightly. "What's with the tears princess? What's wrong?"

Natalia sighed happily and leaned into her. "Not a thing querida, not a thing. I was just sitting here watching our family and thinking about how well everyone is doing. I'm just so overwhelmingly happy right now it just spilled over."

Olivia kissed her temple. "So, happy tears?" Natalia just nodded and Olivia smirked, "Well, I bet I can make you happier."

Natalia looked up and Olivia whispered something in her ear that caused her to blush crimson. "Olivia!" she said with a teasing smack to her arm. Then she grinned. "Is that a promise for tonight or are you just a tease?"

Olivia leaned in and discreetly bite her neck whispering again, "Oh honey, that is definitely a promise," causing Natalia to flush more, now from anticipation.

Doris notice the flushed looking Natalia and couldn't resist. "Oh, I don't think I want to know what she just said to you Nat to cause you to turn that color." This caused everyone else to look at them in amusement and Natalia to turn a darker red burying her face in Olivia's neck.

Olivia just laughed. "Oh Doris, you only wish you knew what I just said, or that you could accomplish it. You're not that flexible." This cause everyone to laugh and Doris to glare playfully.

Natalia looked up as the laughter died down, smacking Olivia again. "Ok enough of that. Let's all go get some dinner, Rick just declared the meat done. If the kids are going to have enough time to do their fireworks with Phillip before the big display, they need to eat now." She picked up Natalio walking off toward the food tables, Emma and Mateo trailed behind her eager for food.
Everyone shared a laugh and followed behind. Olivia caught up taking the baby so Natalia could help the other two kids pick out their food.

Once they all had their food they settled back on the blankets, Rafe said grace and they dug in. After a dinner filled with more laughter and talking, Phillip and Rafe took the kids into the clearing to light their sparklers and other goodies. They had a blast and no one had to suffer Natalia wrath because no one got burned.

Natalia and the other women moved their blankets out from under the tree now that the sun was going down to have a better view of the sky for the big fireworks display.

Once the kids were done with their smaller fireworks they ran over and settled to watch the big stuff. Mateo and Emma sat in Phillip and Beth's laps. Olivia sat with Natalia between her legs, Natalio snuggled in her lap. Everyone else snuggled against their respective partners and they all watched the show. Natalio was scared at first but eventually unburied his face, smiling and clapping at the colors in the sky.

After the show Olivia kissed her lightly then stood to help Natalia and the baby up only to come face to face with the barrel of a gun.