This Kiss

Chapter 124

Friday passed entirely too quickly for Natalia. She and Olivia went into the office until just before one. Natalia had wanted to leave by noon, but Olivia really did have a lot to catch up on since she had been doing little more than emails from home. Ava had tried to stay on top of everything but running two hotels was more work then she had realized. Natalia had been doing as much as she could from home. Including fielding anything that had to do with their Chicago hotel, but between taking care of Olivia, keeping on top of payroll, and helping Andrew get the Beacon Chicago up to SRHR standards, she had time for little else. Rafe was doing an amazing job as Ava's assistant, but seeing as to how he was still learning, he wasn't able to fully assist with all Olivia usually took care of.

When Olivia and Natalia finally did part for the day, they had a laundry list of things to do. Olivia wanted to do some more work from home, which Natalia allowed after lunch and an hour break/nap. Natalia had a million things to do around the house. Laundry had piled up, she needed to put new sheets on the guest room bed, she hadn't dusted in ages, the floors needed to be swept, vacuumed, and mopped, and she intended to assist Emma in getting her room back in order. They had been lax on the rules and now it was time to get their home back in order.

It seemed like the day had flown by in a flash when finally, it was time for the kids to head out to Ava's apartment. "Okay." Olivia said once they were all seated on Ava's couch. Natalia sideways on her lap, putting no weight on her ribs, with Rafe on one side and Emma on the other, Ava sat next to Emma and Doris in one of the chairs by the front window. "We want you three to understand that you can come back into the house at any time." She looked pointedly as Ava and Rafe. "If any of you feel the need to come back to the house, you are always welcome, it will always be your home."

"We know mom." Ava said, understanding exactly what her mom was trying to say.

"Good. Ma and I picked up some snacks on our way home from the Beacon earlier. They are in the kitchen."

"And there are cookies in the jar on the counter and sugar free ones in the container next to it. Please don't eat them all and make yourselves sick." Natalia added, directing her glare at Rafe and Emma in particular.

"Yeah, yeah. We got it ma." Rafe answered. "Can you two and auntie over there go now, we would like to get on with our parental free night." He said, winking at the three adults.

Natalia stood from Olivia's lap. "Well fine, we know when we're not wanted. Let's go my love, we can enjoy our own kid free night." She retorted, wiggling her eyebrows for effect as she held out a hand to Olivia.

Olivia took it and stood, wrapping her arms around her love, and placing wet overly dramatic kisses on her neck. "Mmm, indeed we can."

"Ewe. Moms, that is so gross. Did not that mental image." Rafe whined in mock disgust.

"And that my son, is why you never try to outwit your mothers."

"Fine, whatever, just go before you give us nightmares."

Ava and Emma both giggled at the display. Although Emma wasn't really sure what they were talking about, the way her brother was trying not to smile and Ava was attempting to suppress her laughter, told Emma there was a joke of some sort at play and she wanted to be a part of it.

"Alright, alright, we'll go, but seriously, call us if you need anything."

"We will moms, go, enjoy your night." Ava said.

Emma looked at the floor sheepishly, scuffing her toe against the floor. Doris noticed and called Emma to her, taking her hands she urged her to look at her. "Look at me my angel." She gently commanded. When Emma's eyes met hers, she smiled lovingly. "What's the matter my sweet girl?"