Part 3

The brightness of the morning sun wakes Olivia up. She can sense its glare even though her eyes are still closed and she feels its subtle warmth on her skin. Something is wrong – very wrong. She has a really hard time breathing because her chest seems to be as heavy as it was back then. No, it can't be! Rick assured her that she's fine; her heart can't just fail out of nowhere! Olivia feels a paralyzing fear rising up from deep inside and behind the closed lids of her eyes tears start to gather. Waking up a little more, her eyes are still not ready to be opened but she is able to feel that her right arm is a little numb and she notices the somehow pleasant scent of lavender lingering in every breath she takes. She remembers. Suddenly, panic and fear give way to happiness and serenity. Olivia finally opens her eyes and, in spite of the sun, finds a sleeping Natalia lying halfway on top of her. Natalia's head is resting firmly on Olivia's chest while her baby bump seems to fit perfectly into the curve of Olivia's waistline. Slowly and carefully Olivia tries to remove her arm from under her love's shoulder.

Feeling the cautious movement of Olivia, Natalia sleepily turns her head to face her. She's been awake for some time now lying still and enjoying feeling close and loved and safe.

"Hey…"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up. I just couldn't feel my arm anymore."

"Don't worry, you didn't. I was awake already."

"You were?"

"Yeah, sort of. I just love lying here in your arms, listening to your heartbeat."

Olivia smiles and watches while Natalia slips out of their embrace and pushes herself further up to face her. She gently brushes a strand of hair out of Olivia's face and caresses her cheek with her fingertips while looking at her with utter contentment in her dark eyes.

"I love you, Olivia."

The older woman carefully grabs Natalia's hand which just retraced the curve of her lower lip and kisses its palm. Natalia smiles broadly and blushes a little. After Olivia's soft and warm lips slide slightly downwards to kiss her wrist, Natalia closes her eyes and a subtle moan escapes her mouth. Olivia starts to smile as well, and then leans forward to plant a tender kiss on her love's lips.

"I love you, too. So much…"

"I wish we could lie here forever and just... Just be, you know?"

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. But unfortunately we have to get up soon."

"Nooooooo!"

While Natalia lies back and makes a tortured face Olivia sits up amused and straightens her robe.

"Gosh, I totally forgot to change. I slept in my bath robe!"

"Honey, you were a little distracted. Don't forget."

"How could I?"

The two women look at each other and smirk. After Olivia has fixed her robe, she gets up and walks to one of the boxes, opens it and digs around until she finds some things to wear. Natalia follows the older woman's lead and looks for something to wear in her closet.

"Hey Natalia? How about you go get showered and dressed first and I'll fix some breakfast in the meantime?"

"Sounds great, thanks."

"Sure."

The strain of every day responsibilities winning over deep desire.

While Natalia grabs her clothes and ambles into the bathroom, Olivia heads downstairs into the kitchen. Aside from the creaking stairs, the house is completely quiet since Emma is still at Jonathan's. She is usually the first one to get up, roam around and fill the house with life and laughter. It's strange for both women to be by themselves but, at the same time, very welcome. The idea of it at least.

Since Natalia knows that Olivia needs some time to fix breakfast, she doesn't hurry getting ready. After she's entered the bathroom, she positions herself in front of the mirror and gets undressed. She looks up and down examining every inch of her naked body – the messy hair, her swollen and firm breasts, the stretched skin of her baby bump and a few stretch marks around her belly button. Natalia takes a deep breath, sighs a little and shrugs. At the moment there is nothing she could do about it. Accepting her fate, she heads into the shower.

While Natalia is upstairs getting ready for work, Olivia is cheerily fixing breakfast. Since it's their first morning as a real couple, Olivia wants to make something special. Instead of the usual cereal she's decided to make pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon with freshly brewed coffee and orange juice. No sooner that she has set the table she can hear Natalia approaching the kitchen.

"Wow, that looks incredible! And smells even better! I didn't even know you could do that."

Natalia looks around in amazement and is visibly thrilled because she feels as though she's starving. Olivia, however, leans against the sink with the biggest smile. Nothing makes her happier than seeing Natalia happy.

"You like?"

"No… I love."

The two women sit down opposite each other and start their breakfast. Immediately, Natalia jumps at the bacon like a predator while Olivia just watches her amused.

"You could at least chew, you know?"

Olivia cracks up and Natalia chews faster to sarcastically answer her love.

"I'm pregnant and hungry. Leave me alone."

"Well, okay… And what are your plans for today?"

"Uhm, I have to show up at the office because Alan is still in the hospital but that shouldn't take too long. Other than that… Nothing really. You?"

"I have to make a quick appearance at work, too. Nothing important. What would you think about having a family day?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that we could pick up Emma from school after work and take her to the park to have some ice cream or go to the playground. And after that we can order pizza and watch at movie together. Just us today, you know?"

"That sounds wonderful! Yeah… let's do that."

Quicker than expected the women are done eating breakfast, ready and off to work. Both women, although locally separated, can't stop thinking about the same – being with their family later that day. While Olivia checks her watch regularly and pauses longer than usual when she passes their family picture, her soulmate on the other side of town looks at her mobile way too often. Even though the two of them seem to count the seconds until they are united again, time goes by quite quickly.

The moment they arrive at Emma's school and get out of their cars, they fall into each other's arms.

"You have no idea how much I missed you these last hours…"

Natalia huddles tighter into Olivia's arms and melts in her embrace. She didn't realize how cold it was until the warmth of the older woman's body enwraps her. Olivia tilts her head to talk.

"Well, I do… I do have a slight idea, honey. How was work at Alan's?"

"Ah, you know… Nothing special. How long do we have left until school's over?

"A good ten minutes, why?"

Natalia smirks and tilts her head to kiss Olivia's jawbone while her hand slides slowly downwards the older woman's back until it reaches her butt. Immediately, Olivia snorts and then grins because this gesture clearly shows what they will need these remaining ten minutes for. She slightly turns around to face Natalia still grinning broadly.

"Right."

Olivia pulls her closer again, her arm firmly winding around the younger woman's waist and her hand resting on her lower back. She lifts Natalia's chin and presses her lips onto the soft curves awaiting to be touched by hers. It definitely isn't a sweet and tender kiss. Both women want more and struggle to keep it civilized since they are in a very public place, a Midwestern elementary school. Their movement is hard and filled with passion, yet cautious and a little reluctant. Their heads are turning and lips part only to find each other again.

"Uhm… Hey, Mommy?"

The high pitched voice startles both women and they quickly turn around.

"Em!"

Distracted in their own little world the two of them didn't notice that the ten minutes went by quite fast and the little girl already walked over to them. Although they are worried that this might have confused or even scared their daughter, Emma seems rather positively surprised standing there cross-armed and giggling. Almost like teenagers getting caught making out.

"So, what are we going to do today?"

Instinctively, the little girl changes the subject after which her mommies seem to relax a little.

"Well… Natalia and I thought that it might be fun to have a family day together. We could go to the park or Company to have ice cream and watch a movie later."

"Yeah! Then we can visit the ducks again, right mommy?"

"That's right. So you two wanna go and hit the road?"

"For sure!"

And so they did.

After taking a stroll through the park and feeding the ducks, the family heads over to Company to have lunch and some ice cream. Not once do the women feel uncomfortable behaving like the couple they were – holding hands, cuddling and kissing each other – even when they feel a few confused glances at them. Back at home the three girls waste no time and go straight to Emma's bedroom to pick a movie. While Emma rummages through her DVDs, Olivia pulls Natalia closer, holding her close in her arms.

"Have you seen the look on her face? I cannot believe how happy she is."

"Yeah, that was an excellent idea, Olivia."

"Seems that way…"

After some time the Jellybean has found a movie she'd like the watch and the family snuggles tightly under the covers of her bed. The two women on the side and their daughter between them. Soon the movie caught them in its spell and everyone is off to a magical journey of a young princess trying to find happiness. It doesn't seem that long before the short children's movie is over and the credits start to roll.

Natalia looks over. Emma lies next to her, snuggled into Olivia's arms – both sound asleep and snoring gently. She carefully gets up and turns off the TV and the lights. After taking a last look at her family she leaves the room and walks over to their bedroom feeling happy and loved. Routinely, Natalia takes her rosary out of the drawer and sits down on the edge of their bed:

"Dear Father, today I have nothing to ask for. I just want to let you know how grateful I am. Thank you for all that you have given me – the happiness, laughter, love and joy we share is everything I have ever dreamt of. I simply want it to stay this way. Especially for Olivia and Em. Amen."

Just as she is putting away her rosary, she can hear footsteps approaching and someone yawning.

"Natalia?"

A sleepy Olivia enters the room while rubbing her eyes.

"Why did you leave, honey?"

"I wanted to let you sleep and so I went over here to pray."

"Oh okay. You tired?"

"Just a little but you definitely are."

"No, I'm good. I just drifted off there."

"Hm, you want to get ready for bed anyway?"

Olivia just nods and, contrary to the previous night, both women begin to undress themselves without any kind of hesitation. Olivia is considerably faster taking off her boots, blouse and jeans in a matter of seconds. Natalia, however, only manages to take off her shirt before she sighs loudly. Olivia immediately turns around.

"What's wrong?"

"I… I can't bend over that far…"

The Latina lowers her eyes with a mix of self-pity and anger while stroking her stomach. Olivia, however, just smiles, takes her hand and leads their way to the edge of the bed.

"Sit. Let me handle this."

Natalia obeys and leans back as Olivia takes off both sneakers and pulls off her trousers in one fell swoop. She blushes slightly.

"Thank you, Olivia."

The older woman kneels down in front of Natalia and takes her hands again. Her eyes focused and penetrating Natalia's with love and tenderness.

"It's no problem, my love. And you don't have to be angry or ashamed about it either. You're carrying a beautiful baby-girl and I am more than happy to help wherever I can. Now, let's crawl into bed and get you under the covers."

Natalia simply nods and watches while Olivia puts aside their clothes only wearing her underwear. Her bra and panties are very simple – both black with a few lace applications fitting perfectly to the curvy, yet smooth landscape of her body. A mixture of vulnerability and desire overcomes the beautiful Latina as she is laying there half-naked while observing her love moving around. Olivia, being oblivious to Natalia's inner conflict, cheerily joins the younger woman in bed who is lying flat on her back. Once under the covers, she moves closer to Natalia, wraps her arms around her and plants a tender kiss on her forehead. Natalia responds by making herself comfortable and kissing the older woman's neck.

"I could really get used to falling asleep and waking up in your arms. I love you, Olivia."

"I love you, too honey."

They both smile and Olivia leans in further to place a tender kiss on her love's lips before she pulls away to rest her head on the pillow again. Natalia, however, still tries to resolve this conflict within her. Quicker than expected a decision is made. The younger woman lifts her chin and rests her hand on Olivia's jawbone to signal that she wants more. Olivia was brave before when she made the first step in their kiss the night before and Natalia is certain that she feels the same need to be intimate with each other in more ways than just kissing. It's now or never.

Olivia hesitates for a split second but then presses her lips on Natalia's again. Wondering shortly about what is going to happen next, Olivia quickly pushes aside her thoughts and settles on just letting life and their shared desire find its right path. It doesn't take long before the kiss gets more and more passionate.

Olivia instinctively moves on top of Natalia and settles her thigh between the legs of her love. She immediately feels the warmth and slight dampness of Natalia's center on her thigh. Under the gentle pressure of Olivia's weight, the younger woman closes her eyes and a soft moan escapes her mouth again. Still in control but yet letting her desire getting the upper hand, Olivia caresses the neck and outline of Natalia's breast while trying to dominate the kiss. She forcefully opens the Latina's lips with hers and begins to explore the warm and wet depth of her mouth with her tongue. The scent of Natalia and the electricity of their kiss seem like an aphrodisiac; she is almost unable to hold back anymore.

Natalia feels the same way. The heat coming off Olivia's body and her own blood rushing through her veins makes her moan even more. The Latina puts her hand on the back of Olivia's head and grabs the soft curls firmly while letting her tongue start to wrestle with Olivia's. Within the rhythm of their turning heads and roaming hands it seems like forever before Olivia regains a little bit of her consciousness and pulls away to catch her breath. Natalia seems a little dumbfounded until she snaps out of this rush.

"Wow, that was… I really didn't expect…"

"Me neither… But… Olivia…?"

"What, honey? What's wrong? You can tell me everything."

Natalia looks deep into Olivia's eyes and starts biting her lip. She's nervous, which Olivia notices and then smiles to calm the younger woman down.

"Nothing's wrong. I just… I want…"

"What is it that you want, Natalia?"

"Olivia, please make love to me."

Olivia is completely stunned by that. Her loving smile slowly fades into a somewhat shocked and skeptical look. Although she certainly wants to more than anything, she gets a little nervous and uneasy herself. Never in a million years would she have thought that just a day after they first kissed Natalia is ready to give herself to Olivia.

"A… Are you sure? I mean do you think it's okay? Not too soon?"

"I love you! And yes, I am sure. I think we are ready. I want you. I need you, Olivia. Please, make love to me."

Olivia swallows hard and insecurely leans down to kiss her again. Her movement is stiff and more automatic than willingly. Natalia, however, takes Olivia's face into her hands and smiles. The look of Natalia's dark eyes pierces into the older woman's emeralds with nothing but certainty and lust.

"It's okay, Olivia. I really want to and I know you do, too. Don't be afraid or hold back."

Up until now, Olivia had been pushing down the heat coming from deep inside her that has been trying to be released. It has gotten her into trouble so many times and she didn't want to scare off Natalia. But now that Natalia is practically asking for it, the time has come that she can't control it anymore. The wild and unruly passion that has been part of her being as long as she can remember takes over and an almost obscene smirk appears on her face.

"Thank God. I thought you'd never ask."

This time, confidently and without any hesitation whatsoever Olivia presses her lips onto Natalia's again. Immediately she tries to enter the Latina's mouth with her tongue while her hands start tenderly massaging her breast. Although Natalia expected the hotelier to be overwhelmingly passionate, she needs a moment to comprehend the physical stimulation on her body. Yet, positive feedback was quick to come. The younger woman grants access to Olivia's tongue and moans shamelessly under the touch of her love. Olivia's mouth slides down, as does her hand. Carefully she begins kissing and nibbling Natalia's neck while her fingertips are caressing her stomach and waist. Natalia, however, lies back with closed eyes completely enjoying what is done to her, although or maybe even because there is still a little curiosity left as to what exactly is going to happen. Things are moving fast, way faster than she anticipated but the lust inside her lets Olivia have her any way she'd please. She starts humming and breathing heavily.

Olivia observes everything intently. She may be confident and experienced but she has never been with a woman before. And although she has sense of what she should be doing, her love for Natalia is everything to her. More than anything she wants her to feels cherished and loved and beautiful. Most of all happy – Natalia's happiness is what matters most to the older woman. Although she could swear Natalia seems a little torn and apprehensive, her response to Olivia's stimulation is thoroughly positive.

"There you go!" flashes through her mind and she feels induced to go a step further. Her hand ventures down towards Natalia's warm center. Again observing her reaction intently, Olivia slips her fingertips under the seam of her panties. Natalia is completely shaved like herself so that she can feel the moist treasure of her love almost immediately. Carefully the older woman lets her fingers trail along the beautiful Latina's folds while lowering her head and gently caressing her nipple with her tongue. Natalia, however, already being lost in ecstasy arches her back and groans loudly grinding her hips under Olivia's touch. She wants more. She needs more.

Olivia starts to use her whole mouth to tantalize Natalia's breast and as the wetness around her fingers increases, she slips her middle and index fingers between the younger woman's folds gently stroking her clit. This sensation, to Natalia a completely new experience, makes her groan quite loudly and lift herself forward to dig her nails into Olivia's back. Although more aroused than ever before, the hotelier continues the gentle torture on Natalia's clit determinedly. It really doesn't take long before Olivia can feel her love tremble and shiver under her, her hips grinding fiercely. She is close. Go big or go home – Olivia grins and plunges her two fingers into Natalia.

"Gosh, Ooooliviaaaaaaa!"

Natalia screaming the older woman's name makes Olivia smile broadly. Yes! She made it! While Natalia recovers and tries to find her way back to reality, Olivia lays down beside her, takes her into her arms and gently strokes those velvet curls that feel a little damp from Natalia's sweat.

"You are so beautiful, Natalia…"

A humble smile appears on Natalia's exhausted face. The afterglow of what just happened is apparent in her eyes, a thick mist covering these beautiful, dark orbs. She is completely content and satisfied in ways she never thought possible. Gathering every bit of strength that is left in her before the overwhelming urge to sleep pulls her down, Natalia turns her head to speak.

"I love you, Olivia."

"I love you, too. More than you can imagine."

Olivia pulls the Latina even closer into her strong arms. Equally exhilarated and satisfied she gently strokes her silken curls in silence until deep into the night.