This Kiss

Chapter 61

After witnessing one of the most heartfelt kisses, he had ever seen between his mother and Olivia, Rafe needed a walk. He wasn't ready to watch that yet. As he was walking on the deck, Alan caught up with him.

"Rafe, so uh, I heard you're not leaving."

"No uh, I decided to stay home a little longer, spend some time with my Ma."

"Well, I want you to know, I thought you were very brave for enlisting. I was drafted when I was your age, but I, I was too afraid to go. I would have been glad to have a Spaulding represent our country."

"It's not that I don't want to go. I do. Just uh, someone pointed it out to me that I haven't really had much time with Ma since getting outta prison. I think I need to be here, at least for now. I might enlist later on though."

"Well, I would be proud of you.'

"Alright, come ere." He gave his grandfather a hug. Telling he was going to get a drink and left him.

After their dance, and applauded kiss, Natalia and Olivia decided to take a walk in the sand by the beach. They both slipped off their shoes and walked hand and hand. Talking about this and that, just enjoying the time together. As they walked further down the beach, Josh Lewis was there. "Hi." Olivia said.

He turned to them, removing his sunglasses. "Well, look at that, that's a nice thing to see."

"Ah yeah, every man's fantasy."

"No, no, no, no. That's not what I'm talking about at all. It's just nice to see both of you happy."

"We are." Natalia said firmly, smiling up at Olivia.

"Good, because it seems to be a day for it. You know, everybody's, everybody's doing well.'

Olivia looked at him, feeling something was off. "Yeah, yeah it's a good day."

"Thank you for being my friend." He said seriously. "I think that's not an easy thing for exes to be, but I think we are friends."

"We definitely are. Why are you being so serious?"

"Because I should tell you that I'm gonna leave town for a while."

"When?"

"Soon." He looked to Natalia. "So, take care of my friend, will you please?" Natalia nodded. Not really sure what to say. "Thank you." He smiled at the pair and walked away.

The two finished their walk, then went to grab Emma so they could run home and change before meeting at Company to continue the celebration of Lillian and Buzz.

The two stood in the kitchen, making some sandwiches to eat before heading to Company. Natalia turned to Olivia. "Is Rafe doing okay at the hotel?"

"Yeah, he's uh, he's learning."

"Learning?"

"Yeah. He's gonna do great."

"How do you know that?"

"I have faith."

Natalia just smiled at her, loving the sound of Olivia speaking of faith. They called Emma down to eat and then headed out to Company.

At Company, friends were gathered around laughing together. Frank, Rafe, Ashley, Blake and Natalia sat at a booth. Olivia standing next to Natalia, a hand on her shoulder. Lillian standing against Buzz with his arms around her shoulders.

Rafe looked up at them. "Wait, aren't you two supposed to be on a honeymoon or something like that?"

"Honeymoon, we got married, what are you talking about honeymoon. Get off me boy" Buzz laughed.