This Kiss

Chapter 29

The following morning Rafe was stretching on the front lawn when Natalia walked out. "Look at you. You're up so early."

"Yeah, I'm kind of used to that now."

"It's a little chilly. Is that jacket warm enough for you?"

"Ma, I'm just going for a run, relax."

"You're gonna go for a run? You didn't eat anything. Do you want me to make some toast? Or..."

"Toast? No. Ma, you're worse than the freaking warden, stop."

"I'm sorry. I just, you should take care of yourself and stay healthy."

"Ma, look stop. I can take care of myself, okay. I promise. All this hover thing, I can't take it, alright. I don't need that anymore."

"Fine. Sorry. Hey, come sit with me, I wanna to talk to you for a minute."

"Ma, come on, can't it wait?"

"No, it's important. Please, come sit." She sat on the step and patted the spot next to her.

Rafe let out an exaggerated sigh and sat down. "What's up Ma?

"Well, I want to talk to you about Olivia."

"Not again Ma."

"Rafe, this is her home, she is coming back."

"I know Ma, you didn't have to make her leave."

"That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. I didn't make her leave. She wanted to give us some time together, I tried to get her to stay, she insisted. She's not the same person you met a year ago."

"Ma, it's Olivia Spencer, she doesn't change."

"She has Rafe, and so have I. Olivia and I, we're...we're very close...we're...."

"I know Ma, she's like your best friend or whatever. I'm glad you have a good friend. I just don't know if I can get on board with the whole Olivia thing."

"Rafe...she has changed, so much. Things are different now."

"I just don't get it. How can you just forget everything she's done?"

"I haven't forgotten Rafe. I just forgave her, and I understand her. Back then...back then she was scared, and alone, and...dying. Can you imagine that Rafe? Dying, all alone."

"But she didn't die, she just made your life a living hell."

"Rafe."

"Sorry Ma. It's just, I know she's there for you now, but she was so horrible to you. I just don't think I can get passed that."

"I understand Rafe, I do. There was a time when I thought I would never like that woman, but then, I got to know her, the real her. She's kind, and gentle, she's funny, don't tell her I said that. She's sweet, so strong, and she has the biggest heart I have ever seen. And forgiving. She is so forgiving, even when people hurt her so bad, she forgives them."

"That's a little hard to believe. Olivia Spencer only cares about one thing, Olivia Spencer."

"That's not true Rafe. She is not her past, and she sure isn't the person Frank is filling your head with."

"Franks a good man Ma."

"He is a good man, but not in this case Rafe. He wants you to hate Olivia, as much as he does. He is blinded by his hatred when it comes to her."

"Yeah, what's with that? What made him dislike her so much?"

"They have a past Rafe. I don't know the whole story, and it's not my place to tell you, that's a question you will have to ask her. What I will tell you, is right now, Frank thinks she took something from him, he thinks she took me from him, but I was never his. I am Olivia's. Rafe I love her."