This Kiss

Chapter 64

Ava arrived two days before Emma's birthday. Much to Emma's dismay, Olivia went to pick her up at the airport by herself. She had finally finished with all the preparations for the next step in her plan to make The Beacon a family run business and wanted to speak with Ava about it. Meeting her eldest daughter so late in life had made them friends as much as mother and daughter.

She not only wanted Ava's opinion, but also wanted to make sure she agreed with her plans. She pulled into the loading zone at the airport and quickly spotted Ava waiting for her. Once Ava's luggage was loaded into the trunk, the two drove towards Tower's for a late lunch and conversation.

As soon as they were seated, Ava looked up at her mother. "What's up mom. I can tell you have something you want to say."

"Oh, my darling daughter, how is it you know me so well?"

"Probably because I'm so much like you. Now what's going on? Did something happen with you and Natalia?"

"No, no, nothing happened. I've been working on something that involves Natalia, but also you, and Emma and I want your opinion."

"Okay. And?"

"Well, you know that I'm working on franchising The Beacon. I want to build a brand for you and Emma to take over one day. My legacy. Give the two of you a good foundation to build your life's upon."

"Okay."

"Well, Natalia and I have a meeting to take a walk through and possibly sign for a hotel in Chicago next week. I've had several calls with the current owner, as well as a video walk through, it looks very promising and is listed for well under market value."

"Okay. You're gonna have to spell this out for me mom. I'm not connecting the dots between this and Natalia."

"I'm getting there. I plan to re-propose to Natalia. I wanted to wait until Thanksgiving and do it as my way of giving thanks for her and the wonderful life she is giving me. I also want a New Year's wedding. We hadn't talked much about it when we were engaged before, there was always something going on, but now, well, now I think we're ready to actually do this. I want to start my life with her. As her wife. Merge our lives together completely. And I think a New Year's wedding is kind of perfect. Put this last trying year behind us and start the New Year together."

"Okay mom, I think I'm starting to get the picture but could you color it in for me please."

"I'm all in Ava. When I took Natalia back, it was all or nothing for me. For the first time in my life, I want to share everything, be equal in everything. My plan is, once we're married, I want to name Natalia as co-owner of The Beacon. Add her to all of my accounts, change my will so everything is split between you kids and Natalia. I've never done this before. I have always kept my business and my finances separate. It's different with Natalia. She is the love of my life. She's who I am meant to be with and I want to share my entire life with her. All of it."

"So, what's the problem?"

"Things are going faster than I had anticipated with the new property. I knew that if I decided to purchase it that it would be before New Year's, I just thought it would be closer the Thanksgiving when I planned on proposing."

'Mom! Spit it out already."

"Natalia isn't going to except what I'm offering easily. She is very proud, doesn't except help easily, and never takes handouts. That's how she is going to see this at first. I'm prepared for the battle, I just thought if we were married, or at least engaged, I could explain it to her better. Make her understand that this is not charity, or anything of the sort, this is us, sharing our lives as any married couple would. Merging our finances, adding her to my accounts and will, and making her co-owner are things I can explain better once we're married. I can simply lay it out that if I was a man she would expect it to be this way so it shouldn't be different for us. Trying to explain it now could ruin my plans for her. I feel like I can't do the business end of things before I propose, but I have this all planned out and I don't want to rush it. I don't want to mess this up."