This Kiss

Chapter 75

After seeing the kids off and speaking briefly with Dr. Rick, Natalia had slipped into Olivia's room. She walked to the side of the bed and swept the hair from Olivia's face before brushing her soft lips against Olivia's dry ones in the most tender of kisses. She took Olivia's hand and scoot the chair as close to the bed as possible. Tears were building behind her chocolate eyes, but she held them back, this was not the time for them. She needed to be strong right now. She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and peering down at the sleeping woman before her.

"I love you querida, so much. The last time I sat with you like this, I told you I wasn't going to yell at you, I was just going to be here for you. Well, this time, I'm going to scold you. Olivia, mi amor, you have got to stop this. I know you've been tired, I could see it, I asked you if we needed to come in. You swore that you were fine and you weren't. You can't keep doing this Olivia. You have got to take care of yourself, or at least allow me to. I cannot lose you Olivia. Do you hear me? I need you; your children need you. I have never seen Rafe so tore up and distraught before. He was so scared he was going to lose you. And Ava, Ava just couldn't bear to see you like this again. I watched it happen. Her mind slipped back to that day. The day she thought she would have to say good-bye to her mother, the mother she had just found. I thought that would always be the worst day of my life. The day I lost my husband, the only love I had ever known, but it was far from my worst day Olivia. I love Gus, I will always love Gus, but let me tell you something, every time I sit here with you like this, it's worse than that day. Olivia I love you so very much, you are the love of my life, I cannot do this without you. I need you. And Emma, my god Olivia, she is so scared. We didn't tell her what was going on, but I think that just scared her more. She's such a smart little girl, she knows somethings not right. So, this is it Olivia, no more ignoring things, no more pretending you are okay when you're not. We are not going to be taking any more chances with your health."

Natalia couldn't stop the tears any longer, they streamed down her face and neck. She didn't even try to fight them or wipe them away. She stood and ran her hand through Olivia's hair. "You're going to be alright. You have to be. Te amo cariño. Así que mucho. Estaré aquí cuando despiertes, babe. Como siempre lo soy." (I love you honey. So very much. I'll be here when you wake up baby. Like I always am.) She leaned over and kissed Olivia's forehead before settling back in the chair. The evening had taken its toll on her and she was unable to stay upright any longer. She sat in the chair next to bed and placed Olivia's hand in hers, squeezing it with gentle pressure. She lay her head on the mattress and fell into an uncomfortable and uneasy sleep.

Natalia awoke, not long after drifting off to sleep, she felt a hand sifting through her hair. She groggily peaked an eye open to the sight of Olivia's deep green eyes.

"H-hey y-you." Olivia choked out.

"Hey." Natalia smiled before remembering where they were. She sat up, stretching the sore muscles in her back, and rotating her neck. She grabbed the cup of water from the bed side table and brought the straw to Olivia's lips.

Olivia took a small sip. "Thank you."

Natalia smiled. "You're welcome." After setting the cup down, Natalia leaned down and placed a small kiss to Olivia's lips. She stayed bent over her with one hand gently stroking through her hair and the other against her cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a t-truck. What..."

Before Olivia could finish her question, Lillian gave a soft knock before entering the room to check Olivia's vitals. "Well, hey there. Nice to see you awake. I just wanted to check on you before I left for the day. How are you feeling this morning?"

"Lillian?" Olivia questioned, before looking around seeing the familiar green of the walls. She looked from Lillian to Natalia. "What, what happened? How did I get here?" Suddenly she felt the pain in her chest, reaching a hand down she felt the fresh incision where her chest had once again been split open.