This Kiss

Chapter 151

Natalia sat in a chair by the window of their bedroom at the farmhouse, staring out into the starry sky. Olivia had just finished putting Emma to bed and was now checking the house before they retired for the evening. They would be leaving for Chicago the following afternoon and then their family vacation. After entirely too much research, Natalia had decided where she wanted to go.

She had spent days researching vacation hot spots and finally decided that Galveston Texas was the most family friendly since she didn't want to go to Disney World or something like that. She wasn't ready to plan an extravagant expensive vacation just yet, years of struggling still entirely to fresh in her brain. She wanted something most families would be able to afford and enjoy. She figured they could do the run of the mill vacations in years to come. As well as the insanely expensive ones she knew Olivia would plan. Besides, she had never seen the ocean before, and it would be warm enough to swim in the Gulf of Mexico, if they were lucky. She had put together a detailed itinerary, making sure to include something for every member of their family.

As she sat there, the last week played through her head. Their grand opening in St. Louis had been a huge success. The food had been spectacular as well as the disk jockey Ashley had hired. They were at ninety two percent occupancy, not counting the rooms they had set aside for their family and friends who flew in. Which included, Blake and Doris, Reva, Josh, and Collin, Buzz and Lillian, Phillip, Beth, and Payton, and Clara had, of course, come to help her daughter open her families latest hotel.

The entire family danced and mingled with guest and business collogues. Just after the meal was served, Olivia gave a brilliant speech, with Natalia, as always, standing at her side. Giving special thanks to Ava, Rafe, Ashley, and Isabel for making this opening possible, as well as Trinity, Christian, Rachel, and Jordan. She also thanked the rest of the members of their staff and gave an outstanding mention of her wife.

Natalia could still hear the beautiful words flowing from her wife's lips as she gazed up at the stars. "Natalia and I would like to give thanks to everyone that made this possible. Our new staff, who was trained in record time. Our friends and family who have supported us at every turn. And everyone here tonight to help us celebrate this joyous occasion. We would also like to give a special thanks to our two eldest children, Ava, and Rafe, who worked especially hard to get this hotel up and running and our baby girl, Emma, who was always there to make us smile after a tiring day. As well as Isabel Rivera and Ashley Wolfe, for not only assisting us in gathering venders for the hotel, but also for throwing this amazing celebration together. We would also like to give an extra shout out to our co-general managers, Trinity and Christian, for taking the reins in our absence and keeping this opening on schedule while we were unable to be here. Rachael, our banquet manager, who has only been with us for two days now but was a huge part in bringing this night together. And of course, Mr. Jordan, for making certain our staff was up to par in such a short amount of time. And," she paused and looked deeply into her wife's eyes. "I would personally like to thank this amazing woman standing next to me. My wife, my partner, the love of my life. Without her, none of this would be possible. You have stood by my side from the very beginning, pushing me to fight for another day, even when I didn't want to. Making me see myself in a better light. Because of you, I know that anything is possible, with enough hard work, dedication, and," she winked at her wife as she finished, "faith, all of our dreams can become a reality." She looked back out over the crowd as tears bubbled in her wife's eye. "Now, enough of that, let's all enjoy our night and have a pleasant stay at The Beacon St. Louis, the third property obtained to date by Spencer-Rivera Hotels and Resorts."

Natalia was brought back to the present when strong arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind and a gentle kiss landed on the side of her neck. "Hey there beautiful. Penny for you thoughts?" Olivia asked.