This Kiss

Chapter 21

They continued to kiss for long moments. Natalia's hands slipping back into Olivia's hair to pull her ever nearer. Olivia's hands falling to Natalia's waist, holding her close. They were so lost in one another that they didn't hear anyone approach until a throat was cleared for the second time.

They reluctantly broke apart still wrapped in each others arms. They both turned their heads to look into the stunned face of Frank Cooper. He cleared his throat again before looking directly at Natalia and finally speaking. "I was hoping I would find you here."

"How'd you know that I was here?"

"I called the Beacon and the manager said that I could find you here."

Olivia tried to control her temper, remembering that she was at her daughters school. "Emma has a play." She managed through gritted teeth. She couldn't wait to get him alone in a place she could unleash on him for making her baby girl cry.

Natalia could hear the struggle in Olivia's voice. "She's really nervous about forgetting her lines."

Olivia checked her watch. "And you know what, it is gonna start in a few minutes. So...."

Natalia knew she needed to assure Olivia that there is nothing to worry about and felt now was the time. "Frank, I think we need to sit down and have a conversation about our relationship and set some boundaries, but right now I have to get to my daughters play..."

"Natalia, I'm not here to talk about us okay."

Olivia looked at him with disbelief. "Your not?"

He ignored Olivia. "But I will take you up on that offer to talk. But not today."

"Then why are you here?"

"Corrections called, and they've ordered me to take Rafe back to the half way house."

"NO! He was supposed to be with me for a week. That's what you told me."

Olivia put an arm around Natalia's waist in support, and Natalia leaned into her. Needing the comfort of her love. "Why, why the change?" Olivia's voice was laced with annoyance. She just knew this was Frank getting back at Natalia for refusing to be with him.

"There is no change. When a prisoner is required to go to a half way house as part of their parole, they usually go straight there. But I was able to pull a few strings so Natalia could have some time with him."

Olivia's voice wavered a little. "Frank pull a few more strings."

"I can't. The only reason the parole board let Rafe out, was because he was going to be attending an important family event. And now that, that event's not happening, they've ordered me to take him to the half way house."

Although she was upset that her son had to leave so soon, at the moment all Natalia could feel was anger at Frank. "Are you telling me that you told the parole board that we were getting married? After I told you no. That I am with Olivia."

"Natalia..."

"No, no Frank. You tried to use my SON to get me to do something I don't want to do. I can't believe you. And lets not even start on what you did to Emma. Confusing her like you did. And Rafe. Lying to him, making things harder on me, and him, and Olivia, and Emma. Have you no shame Frank. Using my children to try and manipulate me." She dropped her head and then looked up again. "When?"

"Now, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. But that's why I wanted to track you down here. I knew you would want to say goodbye." He responded. Completely ignoring everything else she just said.

Natalia shook her head and fell into Olivia's open arms. "Could you please tell Emma I am so sorry."

Olivia glared at Frank over her head. Shooting daggers at him. But kept her voice calm and even as she pulled back from their embrace, keeping her hands on both of Natalia's upper arms and looking into her eyes. "Don't you dare worry about that. She loves Rafe okay."