This Kiss

Chapter 76

It was three weeks until Christmas and even with everything going on, a calm had settled over the Spencer-Rivera home. Thanksgiving had been at Company. Buzz had insisted that everyone come together to celebrate the holiday. He also insisted that he was making the meal. The last thing Olivia and Natalia needed to worry about the day after she was released from the hospital, was making a huge dinner.

Doris and Blake had discussed some wedding plans with the couple. They had chosen flowers that Olivia and Natalia had agreed with. Sam had emailed and confirmed he would be at the farmhouse for Christmas and stay until after the wedding. There was an appointment set up for the following week, when Emma was out of school for Christmas break, to get the girls dresses as well as Rafe and Sam's Tuxes. They had started working on a menu and, hanks to Natalia's list, had an idea they refused to share with the brides on where the ceremony would be held.

The Monday following Thanksgiving, while his crew got started on the barns renovations, Josh drove Rafe and Ava to Chicago to pick up Olivia's car and check in on the progress at the new hotel. He also had a chat with Aaron and planned on going back once a week to check on the progress so Olivia and Natalia didn't have to worry. As well as Andrew sending nightly emails so Olivia knew that progress was being made daily.

Ava took over working with Lewis construction on the barn so Olivia didn't have to stress over everything. Natalia had taken on more of the workload at The Beacon Springfield and Rafe was well on his way to taking his position as executive assistant. He had one more week shadowing Greg and then he would start training with his Ma.

Everything seemed to be running smoothly. The only problem was that Olivia was bored. Natalia wasn't allowing her to do much of anything at the office and the kids had taken on most of the load at the house. Most days she sat in her office twiddling her thumbs and then went home to do more of the same. She was going out of her mind. When she talked to her family about lowering her stress levels, she didn't mean for them to take over and not allow her to do anything. Even Emma was on the "don't let mom do anything" band wagon. She could barely get her Jellybean to let her tickle her. It was time for that to change.

Olivia stood from her desk and strode across the hall to Natalia's office. She went around to lean against the desk next to Natalia why she waited for her finish her phone call. Once Natalia hung up, Olivia folded her arms across her chest and glared at her soon to be wife. "We need to talk."

Natalia moved her chair to be directly in front of Olivia and placed her hands on the outside of Olivia's thighs. "What can I do for you Ms. Spencer?"

Olivia almost melted at the feral look in her lovers eyes, they were yet to make love since her health scare. A week and a half isn't long for some couples, but for them it was, they never went more than a day or two, and that look meant maybe Natalia was finally ready. Olivia shook her head to clear the images now running rampant in her brain and took a deep breath. She took Natalia's hands and removed them from her thighs, almost buckling at the hurt look in Natalia's eyes. She took one of Natalia's hands and led her to the couch. They sat facing each other with their knees touching.

"Natalia, sweetheart, we need to have a serious discussion."

"What's wrong Olivia? Is it your heart?" She asked in a slight panic.

"No baby. It's nothing to do with my health, well not really." At the questioning look in Natalia's eyes, Olivia quickly continued. "Sweetheart, as much as I love you for it, you and the kids haven't let me do anything in over a week. I'm starting to go a little stir crazy."

"What do you mean Olivia? We are just doing what we discussed when you were in the hospital, trying to keep the stress off of you."

"I know that's what you think you're doing, but I'm starting to stress over having nothing to do. You are handling all of my emails and had my calls routed to you. Ava has made it clear to the staff to come to herself, or you if she's busy for any problems, Rafe is going above and beyond here and at home he has barely been in his apartment, spending most of his time fussing over me. He won't even let me get myself a drink of water or pour my own coffee. Emma is afraid to ask for my help with her homework and when I try to play with her like I used to, she freaks out. She doesn't even climb in bed with us anymore. Honey, I know we needed to lower my stress, and I appreciate everything you and the kids are doing, I really do, but when I said we needed to make some changes, take some of the load off of me, I meant that I needed things to be like they were before. I can't keep juggling all the extra stuff. I can still do my job here. I can answer emails and take phone calls. I can be involved in the staff meetings and help handle problems that arise. I can still help at the house. And I can damn certain still play with my kid."