Once Upon a Dream 84/84
Title: Once Upon a Dream 84/84
Author: Kelinswriter
Fandom: Guiding Light
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia
Rating: NC-17 (for lots of things)
Summary: Starts with the infamous scene with the OPT Pregnancy Test. Spins off from there into its own little universe.
Disclaimer: CBS, P&G, Telenext et. al. owns these characters; I'm just taking them off the shelf and playing with them for a while.
Author's note: Thanks to everyone who stuck around on this journey. It's been a wild ride.
Chapters 1-11
Chapters 12-19
Chapters 20-29
Chapters 30-40
Chapters 41-50
Chapters 51-60
Chapters 61-71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Olivia awoke from a brief nap in the back of the Spaulding limo to the sound of its tires crunching on the farmhouse drive. She shifted, trying to stretch herself into wakefulness, but it was hard to do when Natalia was curled up in her arms, as contented and immovable as a sleeping cat. For an instant, Olivia considered asking the limo driver to extend their ride, but thoughts of more private options for cuddling once they were inside the farmhouse intruded. She kissed the top of Natalia's head, running a gentle hand up and down her wife's arm. "Time to get out, sweetheart."
"One more minute," Natalia mumbled, nuzzling her face deeper into Olivia's neck.
"Honey, we can't stay in here all night." Olivia pitched her voice to its lowest, most seductive timbre, adding, "Wouldn't you rather sleep in our nice warm bed?"
"Not fair," Natalia murmured, reluctantly extracting herself from Olivia's arms. She glanced around the passenger compartment of the limousine, blinking sleepily. "Where's my bouquet?"
"You threw it to Ashlee." Olivia chuckled as she recalled the look of panic that had crossed Rafe's face when his girlfriend had snatched the flowers out of the air. "And scared our son half to death."
"No more than you scared Doris with yours." Natalia turned as the driver opened the passenger side door, accepting his offer of assistance as she stepped out of the car. "Though Blake didn't seem to mind one bit."
"Of course she didn't." Olivia took a last look around the backseat to make sure they had all their belongings, then stepped out as well, saying a quick thank you to the driver before taking Natalia's hand and starting down the sidewalk. The limo pulled away with a crunch of gravel, the sound of its engine slowly fading until all they could hear were the peaceful noises of the farmhouse at night - trees swaying in the slight wind, crickets chirping, the timeless echo of the stars in the night sky above. Olivia felt a sudden wave of romantic bravado wash through her, and she turned, tugging Natalia toward her and wrapping both arms around her waist.
Natalia tilted her sleepy, still slightly tipsy gaze upward until she could meet Olivia's eyes. "I know I'm a little drunk, but I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be facing the other direction."
"Not when what I want to do is kiss you under the stars." Olivia leaned forward and did just that, feeling Natalia sway against her as their mouths met. She pulled back, humming a bit of Tchaikovsky under her breath. "Or are we dancing again?"
"How about both?" Natalia caressed Olivia's cheek, then claimed another kiss, this one longer and more tender than the last. She pressed her forehead against Olivia's as it ended, softly asking, "What was the name of that first song we danced to tonight?"
"I'll have to ask Ashlee." Olivia felt happiness cascade through her at the memory of holding Natalia close against her while the music swirled over them, oblivious to anything but each other. "I think it was by Tracy Chapman."
"We need to find out." Natalia closed her eyes, letting out a contented sigh as she whispered, "I could stay like this with you forever."
"Me too." Olivia wrapped her arms a little tighter around Natalia, feeling the aching intensity of her warmth, the soft caress of her breath, the heart beating against her own chest. She pressed a kiss beneath Natalia's ear, whispering, "What do you say we do some more of this inside?"
"Yes, please. My feet are killing me." Natalia took a step back and looked up at Olivia from beneath long-fringed lashes, her dimpled smile a mix of seduction and innocence. She drew Olivia onto the porch, asking, "Do you have your key?"
"Somewhere," Olivia muttered, fumbling through her clutch purse in pursuit of the sliver of metal. It took longer than anticipated, which had as much to do with the way Natalia kept nuzzling her neck as it did with the amount of champagne still buzzing through her system. The instant they were inside with the door locked behind them, Olivia found herself pressed against the nearest wall while Natalia kissed her like she had rarely been kissed. She drank each one in, losing herself in the feel of Natalia's mouth on hers until she heard a clatter on the hardwood floor. Cracking one eye open, she watched a shoe fly past, its trajectory taking it somewhere in the vicinity of the couch. "You weren't kidding about getting those heels off."
"I told you my feet were killing me." Natalia kissed her once more, then pulled back, giving Olivia sufficient space to step out of her own heels. "If we forget to pick these up before we leave, the kids are going to be so confused when they come by to check on the house."
"We'll just have to remember in the morning." Olivia caught Natalia in her arms, kissing her as fiercely as she had just been kissed. A hard, fast rush of pleasure coursed through her as she felt Natalia melt into her, and she savored the familiar feeling, its energy making her bold as she whispered, "As beautiful as this dress is, I really want to get it off you."
"Probably best not to leave that where the kids will find it." Natalia bit her lip, a tantalizing mix of desire and innocence on her face, and then she caught at Olivia's hand, drawing her up the steps and toward their bedroom. Once inside, Olivia turned on the antique lamp in the corner, its low-watt bulb giving them just enough light to find each other. More kissing followed, enough to make Olivia grateful she had ditched her high heels, for surely she would have lost her balance if she had tried to stay on her feet with Natalia kissing her like this.
When they came up for air, they clung to each other like shipwreck survivors who have just reached dry land. Eventually, Olivia lifted her hands to the antique comb that was keeping Natalia's up-do in place, gently sliding it free. She searched through the loosened strands for the remaining pins, freeing them one by one while she nuzzled the delicate curve of her wife's bare shoulder. "After all that dancing, I was thinking a shower would feel really good."
"Is that a solo shower, or a joint one?" Natalia asked while her fingers traced a very distracting path down the length of Olivia's spine.
"Showering alone seems very wasteful." Olivia kissed the pulse point at the base of Natalia's neck, feeling her wife's throat contract in response. "Join me?"
"Let me get these put away first." Natalia reached for one of her crystal teardrop earrings, slowly working it free. She turned in Olivia's arms, her dark eyes half-hidden beneath the fringe of her eyelashes as she looked over her shoulder. "Unzip me?"
Olivia nodded, the tidal pull of Natalia's gaze leaving her wordless. Her hands were shaking as she found the tab to the zipper of the strapless vintage dress and slid it down to the middle of Natalia's back, pressing her palm to the warm skin just below the line of her wife's bra. She was rewarded with a shiver from Natalia, a reaction that was more intoxicating than any drug. Deciding to press her advantage, Olivia put her lips to Natalia's ear and whispered, "Need help with that other earring?"
"I get the feeling 'help' means distracting me from getting Lilian's jewelry safely put away." Natalia turned once more, wrapping her arms around Olivia's waist and sliding her hands down the length of Olivia's sleek satin dress until they came to rest on the curve of her ass. She gave it a gentle pat, saying, "Go on and get started. I'll be right there."
"Don't take too long." Olivia gave Natalia a soft kiss before drawing back from the embrace. She circled toward the bathroom, then abruptly turned, slipping around Natalia and wrapping her arms around her from behind. She brushed dark curls aside so she could trail her lips along the perfect line of Natalia's neck, murmuring, "I'd hate to run out of hot water."
A deep tremble ran through Natalia, and she let out a sharp breath. She clutched at Olivia's hand, a note of pleading in her voice as she said, "One more earring."
"Then get on with it," Olivia said, drawing Natalia's head to the side until she could give her a kiss that was deep and slow and full of purpose. The heat of Natalia's body against hers was almost too much to bear, and she pulled back, cradling her hand against Natalia's cheek as she whispered, "I'll see you in there."
Natalia nodded and took a step back, her feet a trifle unsteady. Olivia arched an eyebrow in response, giving Natalia a smile that would probably get her in trouble later. Then she went into the bathroom, tossing a quick "Hurry" over her shoulder before flicking on the light and starting to disrobe. The creamy satin material of her dress sent shivers through her as it slid down her body, as if in anticipation of Natalia's hands doing the same. She was shaking by the time she hung the dress up, shaking more as she took her hair down. She started the shower and stepped inside, the cool water giving her an instant's relief before that too began to heat against her overcharged skin. She ducked her hair under the spray and reached for the shampoo, calling out, "The countdown to ice cold water has started."
She expected Natalia to appear, or at least to hear her call out from the other room. But when a minute passed, and then another, a tendril of worry began to blossom in Olivia's brain. Rinsing the shampoo from her hair, Olivia called out, "Hey, slowpoke, you coming?"
Silence was her only answer. A sudden fear seized her, the same low-level panic that had gnawed at her stomach the entire time that Natalia had been in the coma. She turned off the water, grasping at a towel and wrapping it around her while making her way toward the bedroom, droplets of water spattering in her wake. When she came through the door, the first thing she saw was Natalia face down on the mattress, still clad in her half-zipped dress. It could be a relapse of the coma, Olivia thought as she rushed toward the bed. Or a blood clot, or maybe she hit her head, or…
Natalia let out an unladylike snore, then shifted, turning her head so her right cheek was pressed against the bedspread. She sighed, her left hand groping toward Olivia's side of the bed while her entire body seemed to sink deeper into the mattress.
"Oh, sweetheart," Olivia murmured, the laughter that bubbled to her lips as much from relief as amusement. She slid onto the bed, clutching the fluffy gray towel around her with one hand while she brushed Natalia's hair off her face with the other. "You out?"
"Mmm," Natalia grumbled, rubbing her cheek against the white bedspread. "Right there."
"Uh huh." Olivia leaned over, pressing a kiss to Natalia's temple. She stroked her fingers through Natalia's dark hair, smiling as she murmured, "Lightweight."
Natalia stretched her fingers again, the wedding ring that Olivia had helped design glinting in the shaft of light coming through the bathroom door. For centuries, its large diamond had been the centerpiece of the crown of the Princess of San Cristobel, but now it adorned the hand of a simple woman who had once been a maid and a waitress, a single mom who had fought and struggled her entire life to survive. Asking for it as a parting gift in thanks for stopping Edmund was one of my better moves, Olivia thought as she caught Natalia's hand in her own and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. But not as good a move as falling in love with you.
Resettling Natalia's hand on the bed, Olivia unzipped Natalia's dress to its full extent, then unhooked her bra. She nudged Natalia's shoulder, hoping her wife might rouse long enough to change into something more comfortable, but it quickly became clear that she wasn't going to budge. Letting out a soft laugh, Olivia crossed to the dresser, rifling through it until she found panties and a white t-shirt. She finished drying off and pulled on the clothes, then hunted through the closet until she found a blanket to throw over Natalia's slumbering form. After a few minutes spent blow drying her hair and turning off the lights, she slipped under the sheets, curling onto her side so she was facing the middle of the bed. She brushed her fingertips down Natalia's arm, marveling once again at the miracle that was her wife's sleeping form.
"Good night, my angel," Olivia whispered, reaching across the space between them to trace light fingertips across Natalia's cheek. "I guess our wedding night will have to wait."
She felt Natalia's hand find hers in the darkness, and she tangled their fingers together, hearing a sigh of contentment slip from her own throat. Then she closed her eyes, feeling the fullness of the day wash over her as she sank into sleep.
_____
Olivia woke to the feel of a slender yet solid body pressed against her back. Slowly, she began to distinguish soft curves against her shoulder blades, a long length of thigh matching her own, a foot curled over her ankle. The arm draped over her waist tightened, as did the hand that was encircling her wrist, and she felt a nose nuzzle the back of her neck. She sensed this was a hint that she should rouse herself, but the warm cocoon in which she was entangled was too wonderful to leave. She drifted in its embrace, emerging once again to the feel of fingers tracing over her stomach just below the hem of her t-shirt. It tickled, and she jerked away, letting out a low grumble when the fingers insisted on finding her bare skin once again.
"You awake?" came a low voice, its normally soothing tones roughened by sleep.
"Mmm," Olivia grunted, seeking oblivion in the form of her face against the pillow.
But that tickling touch continued, promising delights untold if she would just yield. The fingers stroked upward, finding her left breast and kneading it gently while their owner said, "You sure you're not awake?"
"Mmmmmm," Olivia moaned, the sound equal parts regret and desire. In spite of her longing to stay in this sleepy state, those exploratory digits were reminding her of plans left unfinished the night before, plans that she very much wanted to bring to fruition before it was time to board an airplane. Still, the instinct to keep her eyes closed for just a little bit longer was strong, and so she delayed, promising herself one more minute of rest.
Her plan was interrupted by the soft graze of teeth across the junction of her neck and shoulder. The hand beneath her shirt changed breasts, while the body molded against her pressed its hips against her, causing her own to move in response. She let out a grumble and felt as much as heard a throaty laugh roll through her tormentor. "Stop pretending you're asleep. You're totally busted."
"Okay, I'm busted." Olivia felt the hand return to her stomach, tracing soft circles as it moved lower, brushing over her navel, then down to the hem of her panties. "But can't a girl sleep in on the day after her wedding?"
"I'll make a morning person out of you yet," Natalia murmured, and Olivia heard triumph in her wife's voice. It was understandable, considering it had taken her all of three days to figure out that the best way to get past Olivia's hatred of mornings was to wake her up with sex. Olivia couldn't help but admit that it was a pretty fair tradeoff, especially considering what those exploratory touches were doing to her heart rate. Cardio before breakfast, she thought as Natalia's fingers meandered toward the apex of her thighs. Just what the doctor ordered.
Natalia's hand moved lower, and Olivia tensed, anticipating the sweetness of that first touch. Before it came, however, there was a pause, and Natalia pressed a kiss to Olivia's ear, whispering, "You sure this is okay?"
Olivia slid her left hand down to cover Natalia's, feeling a wave of gratitude for the innate sensitivity that had prompted the question. She eased their joined hands downward, feeling a tremor of anticipatory pleasure roll through her as she said, "It will always be okay."
Natalia nodded against Olivia's shoulder, pressing a trail of soft, wet kisses along Olivia's neck. Her fingers slid across the material of Olivia's panties, the pace of her movements as achingly slow as the drip of water off an icicle during a winter's thaw. As Olivia's body warmed, she grew restless, her desire for Natalia increasing until the need to move became desperate - back, stomach, it didn't matter, so long as she could have more.
Abruptly, Natalia pulled away, rolling Olivia onto her back. Natalia pushed the blankets aside, then crouched beside Olivia, bracing herself with her free arm while her other hand slipped inside Olivia's panties. Olivia arched as those fingers found heat and wetness, and she clutched at the sheets, forcing her gaze upward until she met Natalia's eyes. For a while there was nothing but those questing fingers, that serene smile, those dark irises with the faintest flecks of gold along the edge. Eventually Olivia felt herself begin to rise, wordless cries spilling out of her while her body slowly broke itself apart. When it was over, she felt Natalia lean over her, pressing soft kisses to her forehead, her cheeks, then her mouth. Natalia rolled onto her side, resting her head against Olivia's shoulder and draping one arm and leg across her in a comforting embrace. "Good morning, Mrs. Rivera."
"Good morning, Mrs. Spencer." Olivia turned to the side, waiting for Natalia to tilt her head upward enough that their mouths could connect. She trailed a hand down Natalia's back, noting that her wife had changed into a low-cut, sleeveless blue cotton nightgown. "I guess you must have woken up sometime after I fell asleep."
"About an hour ago." Natalia propped her chin on Olivia's clavicle, giving her a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry I conked out on you."
"It was a long day." Olivia shifted onto her side, seeking the closeness her body craved. Natalia seemed to sense what was needed, for she molded their bodies together, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of Olivia's head. For a while they did nothing but hold each other, their faces close enough to feel the whisper of breath on skin. Gradually their hands began to caress, their mouths nuzzle, until Olivia felt desire rise in her again. She pushed up on one elbow, gazing down at Natalia before leaning in for a deep, slow kiss. It tasted like toothpaste, and Olivia pulled back from it, frowning. "You brushed your teeth."
"I told you I woke up an hour ago," Natalia said, giving her an impish grin. "Do you want to go brush yours?"
"No." Olivia leaned forward, kissing Natalia again, but guilt nibbled at the back of her mind. "Yes. Dammit, you've housebroken me."
"And it only took a year." Natalia let out a disapproving noise when Olivia got out of bed, a pout that would put a sad puppy to shame creasing her face. "Hurry back."
"Two minutes." Olivia backed toward the bathroom door, pointing a finger at Natalia while adding, "Promise you won't move a muscle."
"I swear," Natalia said, and then she giggled, the delight in her voice goading Olivia on. She quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth, pausing for a moment to tend to other morning needs before diving back through the bathroom door. There, in the gray morning light, she found herself confronted by Natalia, naked against the sheets like a vision in marble come to life. She was reclining on her right side, one elbow propped beneath her head, her other arm bent across her hip. Her left leg was slightly bent, and the sheet, though pulled away from her torso, was draped in front of her, as if she had been struggling until the last second to decide if she would opt for greater modesty. Her eyes caught Olivia's, and she bit her lip, her lashes fluttering as shyness and sensuality warred for dominance.
"You…moved a muscle," Olivia said, swallowing hard against the sudden constriction in her throat. "A bunch of them, in fact."
"I thought I'd save us some time." Natalia cast a glance at the clock, giving Olivia a demure smile. "Since we do have a plane to catch."
"Several hours from now." Olivia caught at the hem of her shirt, intending to rip it over her head, but Natalia put one hand out, stopping her in her tracks. "What?"
"Please don't rush," Natalia said, and though a blush stained her cheeks, her gaze was steady. "I want to see you."
Olivia sucked in a breath, feeling her stomach drop to somewhere roughly near China. She lowered her eyes, trying to keep her hands from shaking as she lifted her shirt upward to expose her stomach, then her breasts. She had stripped for lovers before, had felt eyes watching her every move, but it had always filled her a triumph that she had equated with power because power, after all, was the point of sex. Now there was only a hesitant uncertainty, a vulnerability that left her quaking. She drew the shirt over her head, hearing a sharp intake of breath echo around the room.
"You're so beautiful," Natalia said, her voice reverent. Her eyes told a different story, however, for in addition to the unquestioning love shining from them, there was something that looked like the purest, most uncomplicated form of lust. It emboldened Olivia, and she slid her panties downward, pausing as she straightened so that Natalia could look to her heart's content. When Natalia's gaze returned to Olivia's face, her hand rose, her fingers beckoning. In an instant, Olivia crawled onto the bed, pressing the length of her body against Natalia's. They kissed, skin sparking against skin, and then Olivia took control, rolling Natalia onto her back and lowering herself until they were breast to breast and hip to hip. The shock of contact rolled through them as if for the first time, and they trembled against each other, overwhelmed. Then Natalia shifted beneath Olivia's weight, letting out a contented sigh as she settled into place. "I will never stop loving how this feels."
"Me either." Olivia kissed Natalia once, twice, three times, adding, "It's like coming home."
"Coming home and Christmas all in one." Natalia caught at a lock of Olivia's hair, tucking it behind her ear before tracing the line of her brow. "Do you have any idea how happy you make me?"
"No. Tell me." Natalia laughed at that, and Olivia felt the happiness rippling through her wife's body. She leaned forward, pressing kisses across Natalia's face while she said, "You know, it occurs to me that I've never had a wife before."
"Neither have I," Natalia replied, letting loose a smile like a supernova. "We're very modern, aren't we?"
"If you live in the eighteenth century." Olivia traced a fingertip down Natalia's flank from breast to hip, murmuring, "It also occurs to me that since I've never had a wife before, I should probably engage in a thorough inspection, just to make sure I know what I've gotten myself into." She felt Natalia shiver and grinned in response, adding, "Are you open for inspection, Mrs. Spencer?"
Natalia's eyes widened, and for a moment, Olivia thought she was going to get scolded for the double entendre. Then Natalia let out a peal of laughter, her dimples blossoming on either side of a wide smile. "That may be the worst line I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of bad lines."
"I guess all those years waitressing would make you an expert." Olivia slid her hips against Natalia's, smiling when she felt her wife's breath catch at the sensation. "But that still didn't answer my question."
Natalia gave Olivia a nod, the trust on her face like the taste of freedom on Olivia's tongue. "I'm more than open to it."
"And I am so in love with you." Olivia gazed into Natalia's brown eyes, feeling that rare, precious connection crackling between them. Let me show you, she thought as she doled out kisses. At least let me try.
What followed was slow, and thorough, and focused on the minutest of details. Olivia started by kissing her way down Natalia's neck, each precious beat of the pulse beneath her lips seeming to chime in time with her own heart. Shoulders came next, and Natalia's were perfection, their olive-toned curves flowing down into smooth-skinned, surprisingly toned arms, a crease of elbow yielding to forearm to wrist to a strong, expressive, astonishingly delicate hand. Anticipation of what came next drew her onward, and she smiled up at Natalia, feeling the hand she had just been kissing slide into her hair as she lowered her head to first one breast, then the other. She lingered, kissing and caressing, something primal and instinctive rising in her as she tasted those glorious curves. She felt Natalia grow restless beneath her, and so she gave one last kiss to the underside of each breast, then moved on to Natalia's stomach, tracing the line of her ribs, the curve of her belly, the soft dip of her navel and the jagged line of the her scar. Hipbone, thigh, that sweet, specific transition point between the two - Olivia caressed them all with her fingers, then her mouth, Natalia's quick breaths and whispered words doing nothing but fueling the heat coiling in Olivia's own belly. The longing to taste was overwhelming, yet she paused, lifting her head to gaze at Natalia with a question in her eyes.
For an instant they stared at each other, and then Natalia nodded, her eyes luminous, her smile somehow both tremulous and serene. Olivia kissed the hand that reached down to caress her face, and then she lowered her head, losing herself in her consuming work. The tenderness of it, the intimacy that was being so deeply connected to Natalia's body, was unlike anything she had ever known, prompting a need to give and then give some more, to be both demanding and utterly responsive. There were few sounds save for the scrape of skin across sheets and the noises of birds waking outside, and yet to Olivia it seemed as if music were playing, a song in two voices that intertwined until they united in a single melody. The music was growing louder, crescendoing into something transcendent when Olivia felt the hands in her hair tighten, the stomach muscles beneath her tense. She lifted her head, giving herself over to the kiss that Natalia demanded, that she inhaled as if it were life-giving air. In the stillness that followed, Olivia pressed her forehead to Natalia's, feeling a tremor run through her.
"You're so close." Olivia found Natalia's dark, passion-clouded eyes, their pupils dilated until only a sliver of iris remained. Something raw and undiluted flared between them, the intensity of it so strong that Olivia felt like she might crack. She willed herself to hold steady, her voice ragged as she whispered, "Let me give this to you."
The words seemed to reach Natalia as if from very far away, but at last she blinked, nodding once before letting her eyes fall shut. She eased back as if letting go of a sinking ship, the surrender in her movements both terrifying and exhilarating, and Olivia reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers and bringing them to rest in the hollow just beneath Natalia's breasts. Olivia pressed a reassuring kiss to Natalia's hip, then lowered her head again, the feel of her tongue against Natalia's skin coursing through her like the sweetest of wines. Her other hand continued its gentle work, caressing in a slow, circular pattern until the tremble beneath her became a shudder, then a deep, rolling wave. Olivia lingered as they crashed against her, one after another, until Natalia's cries peaked and faded into silence. Then she shifted upward and laid her head against Natalia's stomach, finding a peace unlike anything she had ever imagined in the feel of that smooth skin and the sound of that soft breath.
When hands that had been still began to caress once again, Olivia turned her head, pressing a kiss to Natalia's stomach. She pushed herself onto all fours, crawling upward until she was leaning over Natalia. "Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?"
"Some things don't require words." Natalia ran her hands down Olivia's sides, a smile that would make Da Vinci weep spreading across her face. "Your actions speak for themselves, and they were as beautiful as you are."
"That's a way better line than the one I came up with." Olivia braced herself on her forearms and leaned down to give Natalia a kiss. She was only peripherally aware of Natalia's swiftly moving fingers as she drew back, saying, "I don't know about you, but I'm -"
Without any warning, she felt Natalia slide into her, the shock of it roaring through her like a nuclear bomb. Her head dropped, and she pressed her forehead against Natalia's shoulder, fighting to keep herself upright. "That…that was not polite."
"Someone once told me that sex isn't always polite." Olivia raised her head in time to see the smile dancing across Natalia's face, the innocence of her dimples no match for the wicked curve of her lips.
"Whoever said that was really smart." Olivia felt a tremble run through her arms, and she closed her eyes, a whimper slipping from her throat when Natalia began to move inside her. "God, Natalia. Please don't stop."
"Is this too much?" Natalia brushed her free hand over Olivia's sternum, tracing the line of her transplant scar. "I don't want you to strain yourself."
"I'm more afraid that I'll fall on you." Olivia shuddered, feeling her hips begin to move in time with Natalia's hand. Her balance wobbled, but before she could say anything, Natalia was sitting up, scooting backward while simultaneously propping a pillow against the headboard. She planted her back against it, then drew Olivia forward until Olivia was straddling her lap.
"Is this better?" Natalia asked.
Olivia grasped the headboard with one hand, the other catching at the base of Natalia's neck. She felt her knees sink into the mattress, her body trembling from the sweet, aching strain of Natalia inside her. She lowered her head until their foreheads were almost touching and said in a low voice, "We're not even going to discuss what you just led me by."
"I'll never tell." Natalia smiled again, those dimples flashing. Then her face shifted, the calm in it as deep and steady as the ocean that had once soothed Olivia to sleep at night. "I love you."
Olivia simply nodded, hoping that somehow, everything she couldn't find words to say was written in her eyes. Then she kissed Natalia, letting the silence between them speak volumes while they went to a place that was theirs alone.
-------
It was chilly on the porch, in spite of the blanket that Olivia had wrapped around her shoulders. Fall was coming on fast, and soon both this bench and their yard would be covered with snow and their morning coffee would have to be enjoyed indoors. But for now, Olivia was willing to tolerate a shiver or two if it meant she could look at the towering pine and oak trees that lined the fence and trace the outline of Natalia's garden, all staked out and ready in expectation of spring. Soon enough they would be in the Florida Keys, settling sail on Mano's boat for a cruise to Puerto Rico and San Cristobel, with a stop on a private island resort in between. One week of sun, food, and each other, Olivia thought. And then home, back to our life with Emma and whatever comes next.
She heard footsteps inside the house, but before she could get up, Natalia had pushed the screen door open with one elbow, holding it steady with her hip while she kept the contents of two stoneware mugs from sloshing all over her hands.
"Let me help you," Olivia said, but Natalia urged her back into place with a quick flick of her eyes.
"I've got it," Natalia said, letting the creaky green door bang shut behind her. She handed Olivia a mug of coffee, then settled into the space Olivia had made for her, pulling the folds of the blanket around them both. "Besides, you couldn't stop shivering for the longest time. Are you sure you're not getting sick?"
"Sweetheart, that had nothing to do with being cold." Olivia took Natalia's hand, drawing it to her cheek and pressing a sideways kiss to it while she smiled, arching an eyebrow for emphasis.
"Oh," Natalia said, dropping her eyes. When she raised them again, the smile she turned on Olivia was pleased to the point of prideful.
"Oh, indeed." Olivia let out a laugh, then took a sip of her coffee. She waited for Natalia to do the same, then set her mug aside and opened her arms, waiting for Natalia to slide into place. They snuggled against each other, basking in the rare pleasure of a quiet morning without anything to think about except their coffee and each other.
After several minutes, Natalia broke the silence with a soft, "So I was thinking."
"Does it involve remodeling?" Olivia asked, her tone causing Natalia to laugh.
"Not necessarily. Just…" Natalia looked up at Olivia, her dark eyes both hopeful and hesitant. "I was thinking that in a year or so, when we're sure I'm healthy, it might be time to have a baby."
"A baby?" Olivia asked, putting her coffee down suddenly for fear she would spill it. "You mean...together?"
"Together, with two parents, the way neither one of us have ever been able to do before." Natalia caught at Olivia's hand, rubbing a thumb over her wedding ring before saying, "But the really crazy part is, I was thinking that we could ask Sam if he would…you know."
Olivia paused for a moment, wanting to make sure she was understanding Natalia's suggestion before responding. She chewed on it for a minute, turned it over, chewed again. "Did you just say you want to have my brother's baby?"
"I want to have a Spencer baby," Natalia said, determination in her eyes. "A baby that is as much yours as it can possibly be."
Olivia let out a rueful laugh. "So you want a baby with a bad temper and a worse heart and…"
"A baby with your eyes," Natalia interrupted, pressing a hand to Olivia's cheek. "And your cheekbones. And your smile."
"But she has to have your dimples," Olivia insisted.
"Oh, the dimples are non-negotiable," Natalia said with a sly smile.
"Good to know," Olivia said, leaning in for kiss. She felt the idea take root as they broke apart, and shook her head, overwhelmed. "I'll never understand how I got lucky enough to find you."
"I think we found something in each other that we didn't know we were looking for." Natalia drew Olivia down into another kiss, one that gradually grew passionate. When they broke apart, Natalia cleared her throat, asking, "What time does our plane leave?"
"One o'clock." Olivia threaded their fingers together beneath the blankets, unable to resist running her thumb over that sensitive spot at the edge of Natalia's wrist. She felt Natalia squirm in response and let out a laugh, saying, "The car is coming to pick us up at 11:30, which gives us two hours with nothing to do since both our suitcases are completely packed."
"That's because I packed yours," Natalia said, giving Olivia a knowing look.
"Details." Olivia winked at Natalia, tilting her head toward the house. "But since you're so efficient, we could…" She smiled, letting the curve of her lips finish the sentence.
"Nothing would make me happier." Natalia shifted against Olivia, drawing her down into a kiss that was both tender and passionate. Yet when it was over, they settled back onto the bench, not quite ready for the moment to end. This is all I need to be content, Olivia thought. This place, and our kids safe and happy, and Natalia in my arms. It was something she still couldn't quite wrap her head around, and yet she was learning to accept it, to simply be grateful for the life she had found when she had thought hers was at an end.
"Do you think things will stay like this?" Natalia asked, and Olivia saw a shadow cross her wife's face, perhaps a memory of the dark times they had faced, perhaps a flicker of fear over the always uncertain future.
"We live in Springfield," Olivia said with a shrug. "It's only a matter of time before we get abducted by aliens or kidnapped by pirates."
"Or cloned," Natalia said, her mood lightening at the recollection of one of their town's more outlandish tales.
"Or cloned, or have a long-lost child appear…wait, I already did that, or…" Olivia cuddled Natalia closer, letting out a soft laugh at the ridiculousness of the crazy, beautiful life they shared. "The list of possibilities goes on and on."
"I guess life in this town will always be an adventure," Natalia said, fixing Olivia with one of her most radiant smiles.
"It will be." Olivia smiled back at her, pressing their foreheads together, and then she kissed Natalia for no other reason than because she could. "But no matter what happens, we'll face it together."
Author: Kelinswriter
Fandom: Guiding Light
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia
Rating: NC-17 (for lots of things)
Summary: Starts with the infamous scene with the OPT Pregnancy Test. Spins off from there into its own little universe.
Disclaimer: CBS, P&G, Telenext et. al. owns these characters; I'm just taking them off the shelf and playing with them for a while.
Author's note: Thanks to everyone who stuck around on this journey. It's been a wild ride.
Chapters 1-11
Chapters 12-19
Chapters 20-29
Chapters 30-40
Chapters 41-50
Chapters 51-60
Chapters 61-71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Olivia awoke from a brief nap in the back of the Spaulding limo to the sound of its tires crunching on the farmhouse drive. She shifted, trying to stretch herself into wakefulness, but it was hard to do when Natalia was curled up in her arms, as contented and immovable as a sleeping cat. For an instant, Olivia considered asking the limo driver to extend their ride, but thoughts of more private options for cuddling once they were inside the farmhouse intruded. She kissed the top of Natalia's head, running a gentle hand up and down her wife's arm. "Time to get out, sweetheart."
"One more minute," Natalia mumbled, nuzzling her face deeper into Olivia's neck.
"Honey, we can't stay in here all night." Olivia pitched her voice to its lowest, most seductive timbre, adding, "Wouldn't you rather sleep in our nice warm bed?"
"Not fair," Natalia murmured, reluctantly extracting herself from Olivia's arms. She glanced around the passenger compartment of the limousine, blinking sleepily. "Where's my bouquet?"
"You threw it to Ashlee." Olivia chuckled as she recalled the look of panic that had crossed Rafe's face when his girlfriend had snatched the flowers out of the air. "And scared our son half to death."
"No more than you scared Doris with yours." Natalia turned as the driver opened the passenger side door, accepting his offer of assistance as she stepped out of the car. "Though Blake didn't seem to mind one bit."
"Of course she didn't." Olivia took a last look around the backseat to make sure they had all their belongings, then stepped out as well, saying a quick thank you to the driver before taking Natalia's hand and starting down the sidewalk. The limo pulled away with a crunch of gravel, the sound of its engine slowly fading until all they could hear were the peaceful noises of the farmhouse at night - trees swaying in the slight wind, crickets chirping, the timeless echo of the stars in the night sky above. Olivia felt a sudden wave of romantic bravado wash through her, and she turned, tugging Natalia toward her and wrapping both arms around her waist.
Natalia tilted her sleepy, still slightly tipsy gaze upward until she could meet Olivia's eyes. "I know I'm a little drunk, but I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be facing the other direction."
"Not when what I want to do is kiss you under the stars." Olivia leaned forward and did just that, feeling Natalia sway against her as their mouths met. She pulled back, humming a bit of Tchaikovsky under her breath. "Or are we dancing again?"
"How about both?" Natalia caressed Olivia's cheek, then claimed another kiss, this one longer and more tender than the last. She pressed her forehead against Olivia's as it ended, softly asking, "What was the name of that first song we danced to tonight?"
"I'll have to ask Ashlee." Olivia felt happiness cascade through her at the memory of holding Natalia close against her while the music swirled over them, oblivious to anything but each other. "I think it was by Tracy Chapman."
"We need to find out." Natalia closed her eyes, letting out a contented sigh as she whispered, "I could stay like this with you forever."
"Me too." Olivia wrapped her arms a little tighter around Natalia, feeling the aching intensity of her warmth, the soft caress of her breath, the heart beating against her own chest. She pressed a kiss beneath Natalia's ear, whispering, "What do you say we do some more of this inside?"
"Yes, please. My feet are killing me." Natalia took a step back and looked up at Olivia from beneath long-fringed lashes, her dimpled smile a mix of seduction and innocence. She drew Olivia onto the porch, asking, "Do you have your key?"
"Somewhere," Olivia muttered, fumbling through her clutch purse in pursuit of the sliver of metal. It took longer than anticipated, which had as much to do with the way Natalia kept nuzzling her neck as it did with the amount of champagne still buzzing through her system. The instant they were inside with the door locked behind them, Olivia found herself pressed against the nearest wall while Natalia kissed her like she had rarely been kissed. She drank each one in, losing herself in the feel of Natalia's mouth on hers until she heard a clatter on the hardwood floor. Cracking one eye open, she watched a shoe fly past, its trajectory taking it somewhere in the vicinity of the couch. "You weren't kidding about getting those heels off."
"I told you my feet were killing me." Natalia kissed her once more, then pulled back, giving Olivia sufficient space to step out of her own heels. "If we forget to pick these up before we leave, the kids are going to be so confused when they come by to check on the house."
"We'll just have to remember in the morning." Olivia caught Natalia in her arms, kissing her as fiercely as she had just been kissed. A hard, fast rush of pleasure coursed through her as she felt Natalia melt into her, and she savored the familiar feeling, its energy making her bold as she whispered, "As beautiful as this dress is, I really want to get it off you."
"Probably best not to leave that where the kids will find it." Natalia bit her lip, a tantalizing mix of desire and innocence on her face, and then she caught at Olivia's hand, drawing her up the steps and toward their bedroom. Once inside, Olivia turned on the antique lamp in the corner, its low-watt bulb giving them just enough light to find each other. More kissing followed, enough to make Olivia grateful she had ditched her high heels, for surely she would have lost her balance if she had tried to stay on her feet with Natalia kissing her like this.
When they came up for air, they clung to each other like shipwreck survivors who have just reached dry land. Eventually, Olivia lifted her hands to the antique comb that was keeping Natalia's up-do in place, gently sliding it free. She searched through the loosened strands for the remaining pins, freeing them one by one while she nuzzled the delicate curve of her wife's bare shoulder. "After all that dancing, I was thinking a shower would feel really good."
"Is that a solo shower, or a joint one?" Natalia asked while her fingers traced a very distracting path down the length of Olivia's spine.
"Showering alone seems very wasteful." Olivia kissed the pulse point at the base of Natalia's neck, feeling her wife's throat contract in response. "Join me?"
"Let me get these put away first." Natalia reached for one of her crystal teardrop earrings, slowly working it free. She turned in Olivia's arms, her dark eyes half-hidden beneath the fringe of her eyelashes as she looked over her shoulder. "Unzip me?"
Olivia nodded, the tidal pull of Natalia's gaze leaving her wordless. Her hands were shaking as she found the tab to the zipper of the strapless vintage dress and slid it down to the middle of Natalia's back, pressing her palm to the warm skin just below the line of her wife's bra. She was rewarded with a shiver from Natalia, a reaction that was more intoxicating than any drug. Deciding to press her advantage, Olivia put her lips to Natalia's ear and whispered, "Need help with that other earring?"
"I get the feeling 'help' means distracting me from getting Lilian's jewelry safely put away." Natalia turned once more, wrapping her arms around Olivia's waist and sliding her hands down the length of Olivia's sleek satin dress until they came to rest on the curve of her ass. She gave it a gentle pat, saying, "Go on and get started. I'll be right there."
"Don't take too long." Olivia gave Natalia a soft kiss before drawing back from the embrace. She circled toward the bathroom, then abruptly turned, slipping around Natalia and wrapping her arms around her from behind. She brushed dark curls aside so she could trail her lips along the perfect line of Natalia's neck, murmuring, "I'd hate to run out of hot water."
A deep tremble ran through Natalia, and she let out a sharp breath. She clutched at Olivia's hand, a note of pleading in her voice as she said, "One more earring."
"Then get on with it," Olivia said, drawing Natalia's head to the side until she could give her a kiss that was deep and slow and full of purpose. The heat of Natalia's body against hers was almost too much to bear, and she pulled back, cradling her hand against Natalia's cheek as she whispered, "I'll see you in there."
Natalia nodded and took a step back, her feet a trifle unsteady. Olivia arched an eyebrow in response, giving Natalia a smile that would probably get her in trouble later. Then she went into the bathroom, tossing a quick "Hurry" over her shoulder before flicking on the light and starting to disrobe. The creamy satin material of her dress sent shivers through her as it slid down her body, as if in anticipation of Natalia's hands doing the same. She was shaking by the time she hung the dress up, shaking more as she took her hair down. She started the shower and stepped inside, the cool water giving her an instant's relief before that too began to heat against her overcharged skin. She ducked her hair under the spray and reached for the shampoo, calling out, "The countdown to ice cold water has started."
She expected Natalia to appear, or at least to hear her call out from the other room. But when a minute passed, and then another, a tendril of worry began to blossom in Olivia's brain. Rinsing the shampoo from her hair, Olivia called out, "Hey, slowpoke, you coming?"
Silence was her only answer. A sudden fear seized her, the same low-level panic that had gnawed at her stomach the entire time that Natalia had been in the coma. She turned off the water, grasping at a towel and wrapping it around her while making her way toward the bedroom, droplets of water spattering in her wake. When she came through the door, the first thing she saw was Natalia face down on the mattress, still clad in her half-zipped dress. It could be a relapse of the coma, Olivia thought as she rushed toward the bed. Or a blood clot, or maybe she hit her head, or…
Natalia let out an unladylike snore, then shifted, turning her head so her right cheek was pressed against the bedspread. She sighed, her left hand groping toward Olivia's side of the bed while her entire body seemed to sink deeper into the mattress.
"Oh, sweetheart," Olivia murmured, the laughter that bubbled to her lips as much from relief as amusement. She slid onto the bed, clutching the fluffy gray towel around her with one hand while she brushed Natalia's hair off her face with the other. "You out?"
"Mmm," Natalia grumbled, rubbing her cheek against the white bedspread. "Right there."
"Uh huh." Olivia leaned over, pressing a kiss to Natalia's temple. She stroked her fingers through Natalia's dark hair, smiling as she murmured, "Lightweight."
Natalia stretched her fingers again, the wedding ring that Olivia had helped design glinting in the shaft of light coming through the bathroom door. For centuries, its large diamond had been the centerpiece of the crown of the Princess of San Cristobel, but now it adorned the hand of a simple woman who had once been a maid and a waitress, a single mom who had fought and struggled her entire life to survive. Asking for it as a parting gift in thanks for stopping Edmund was one of my better moves, Olivia thought as she caught Natalia's hand in her own and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. But not as good a move as falling in love with you.
Resettling Natalia's hand on the bed, Olivia unzipped Natalia's dress to its full extent, then unhooked her bra. She nudged Natalia's shoulder, hoping her wife might rouse long enough to change into something more comfortable, but it quickly became clear that she wasn't going to budge. Letting out a soft laugh, Olivia crossed to the dresser, rifling through it until she found panties and a white t-shirt. She finished drying off and pulled on the clothes, then hunted through the closet until she found a blanket to throw over Natalia's slumbering form. After a few minutes spent blow drying her hair and turning off the lights, she slipped under the sheets, curling onto her side so she was facing the middle of the bed. She brushed her fingertips down Natalia's arm, marveling once again at the miracle that was her wife's sleeping form.
"Good night, my angel," Olivia whispered, reaching across the space between them to trace light fingertips across Natalia's cheek. "I guess our wedding night will have to wait."
She felt Natalia's hand find hers in the darkness, and she tangled their fingers together, hearing a sigh of contentment slip from her own throat. Then she closed her eyes, feeling the fullness of the day wash over her as she sank into sleep.
_____
Olivia woke to the feel of a slender yet solid body pressed against her back. Slowly, she began to distinguish soft curves against her shoulder blades, a long length of thigh matching her own, a foot curled over her ankle. The arm draped over her waist tightened, as did the hand that was encircling her wrist, and she felt a nose nuzzle the back of her neck. She sensed this was a hint that she should rouse herself, but the warm cocoon in which she was entangled was too wonderful to leave. She drifted in its embrace, emerging once again to the feel of fingers tracing over her stomach just below the hem of her t-shirt. It tickled, and she jerked away, letting out a low grumble when the fingers insisted on finding her bare skin once again.
"You awake?" came a low voice, its normally soothing tones roughened by sleep.
"Mmm," Olivia grunted, seeking oblivion in the form of her face against the pillow.
But that tickling touch continued, promising delights untold if she would just yield. The fingers stroked upward, finding her left breast and kneading it gently while their owner said, "You sure you're not awake?"
"Mmmmmm," Olivia moaned, the sound equal parts regret and desire. In spite of her longing to stay in this sleepy state, those exploratory digits were reminding her of plans left unfinished the night before, plans that she very much wanted to bring to fruition before it was time to board an airplane. Still, the instinct to keep her eyes closed for just a little bit longer was strong, and so she delayed, promising herself one more minute of rest.
Her plan was interrupted by the soft graze of teeth across the junction of her neck and shoulder. The hand beneath her shirt changed breasts, while the body molded against her pressed its hips against her, causing her own to move in response. She let out a grumble and felt as much as heard a throaty laugh roll through her tormentor. "Stop pretending you're asleep. You're totally busted."
"Okay, I'm busted." Olivia felt the hand return to her stomach, tracing soft circles as it moved lower, brushing over her navel, then down to the hem of her panties. "But can't a girl sleep in on the day after her wedding?"
"I'll make a morning person out of you yet," Natalia murmured, and Olivia heard triumph in her wife's voice. It was understandable, considering it had taken her all of three days to figure out that the best way to get past Olivia's hatred of mornings was to wake her up with sex. Olivia couldn't help but admit that it was a pretty fair tradeoff, especially considering what those exploratory touches were doing to her heart rate. Cardio before breakfast, she thought as Natalia's fingers meandered toward the apex of her thighs. Just what the doctor ordered.
Natalia's hand moved lower, and Olivia tensed, anticipating the sweetness of that first touch. Before it came, however, there was a pause, and Natalia pressed a kiss to Olivia's ear, whispering, "You sure this is okay?"
Olivia slid her left hand down to cover Natalia's, feeling a wave of gratitude for the innate sensitivity that had prompted the question. She eased their joined hands downward, feeling a tremor of anticipatory pleasure roll through her as she said, "It will always be okay."
Natalia nodded against Olivia's shoulder, pressing a trail of soft, wet kisses along Olivia's neck. Her fingers slid across the material of Olivia's panties, the pace of her movements as achingly slow as the drip of water off an icicle during a winter's thaw. As Olivia's body warmed, she grew restless, her desire for Natalia increasing until the need to move became desperate - back, stomach, it didn't matter, so long as she could have more.
Abruptly, Natalia pulled away, rolling Olivia onto her back. Natalia pushed the blankets aside, then crouched beside Olivia, bracing herself with her free arm while her other hand slipped inside Olivia's panties. Olivia arched as those fingers found heat and wetness, and she clutched at the sheets, forcing her gaze upward until she met Natalia's eyes. For a while there was nothing but those questing fingers, that serene smile, those dark irises with the faintest flecks of gold along the edge. Eventually Olivia felt herself begin to rise, wordless cries spilling out of her while her body slowly broke itself apart. When it was over, she felt Natalia lean over her, pressing soft kisses to her forehead, her cheeks, then her mouth. Natalia rolled onto her side, resting her head against Olivia's shoulder and draping one arm and leg across her in a comforting embrace. "Good morning, Mrs. Rivera."
"Good morning, Mrs. Spencer." Olivia turned to the side, waiting for Natalia to tilt her head upward enough that their mouths could connect. She trailed a hand down Natalia's back, noting that her wife had changed into a low-cut, sleeveless blue cotton nightgown. "I guess you must have woken up sometime after I fell asleep."
"About an hour ago." Natalia propped her chin on Olivia's clavicle, giving her a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry I conked out on you."
"It was a long day." Olivia shifted onto her side, seeking the closeness her body craved. Natalia seemed to sense what was needed, for she molded their bodies together, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of Olivia's head. For a while they did nothing but hold each other, their faces close enough to feel the whisper of breath on skin. Gradually their hands began to caress, their mouths nuzzle, until Olivia felt desire rise in her again. She pushed up on one elbow, gazing down at Natalia before leaning in for a deep, slow kiss. It tasted like toothpaste, and Olivia pulled back from it, frowning. "You brushed your teeth."
"I told you I woke up an hour ago," Natalia said, giving her an impish grin. "Do you want to go brush yours?"
"No." Olivia leaned forward, kissing Natalia again, but guilt nibbled at the back of her mind. "Yes. Dammit, you've housebroken me."
"And it only took a year." Natalia let out a disapproving noise when Olivia got out of bed, a pout that would put a sad puppy to shame creasing her face. "Hurry back."
"Two minutes." Olivia backed toward the bathroom door, pointing a finger at Natalia while adding, "Promise you won't move a muscle."
"I swear," Natalia said, and then she giggled, the delight in her voice goading Olivia on. She quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth, pausing for a moment to tend to other morning needs before diving back through the bathroom door. There, in the gray morning light, she found herself confronted by Natalia, naked against the sheets like a vision in marble come to life. She was reclining on her right side, one elbow propped beneath her head, her other arm bent across her hip. Her left leg was slightly bent, and the sheet, though pulled away from her torso, was draped in front of her, as if she had been struggling until the last second to decide if she would opt for greater modesty. Her eyes caught Olivia's, and she bit her lip, her lashes fluttering as shyness and sensuality warred for dominance.
"You…moved a muscle," Olivia said, swallowing hard against the sudden constriction in her throat. "A bunch of them, in fact."
"I thought I'd save us some time." Natalia cast a glance at the clock, giving Olivia a demure smile. "Since we do have a plane to catch."
"Several hours from now." Olivia caught at the hem of her shirt, intending to rip it over her head, but Natalia put one hand out, stopping her in her tracks. "What?"
"Please don't rush," Natalia said, and though a blush stained her cheeks, her gaze was steady. "I want to see you."
Olivia sucked in a breath, feeling her stomach drop to somewhere roughly near China. She lowered her eyes, trying to keep her hands from shaking as she lifted her shirt upward to expose her stomach, then her breasts. She had stripped for lovers before, had felt eyes watching her every move, but it had always filled her a triumph that she had equated with power because power, after all, was the point of sex. Now there was only a hesitant uncertainty, a vulnerability that left her quaking. She drew the shirt over her head, hearing a sharp intake of breath echo around the room.
"You're so beautiful," Natalia said, her voice reverent. Her eyes told a different story, however, for in addition to the unquestioning love shining from them, there was something that looked like the purest, most uncomplicated form of lust. It emboldened Olivia, and she slid her panties downward, pausing as she straightened so that Natalia could look to her heart's content. When Natalia's gaze returned to Olivia's face, her hand rose, her fingers beckoning. In an instant, Olivia crawled onto the bed, pressing the length of her body against Natalia's. They kissed, skin sparking against skin, and then Olivia took control, rolling Natalia onto her back and lowering herself until they were breast to breast and hip to hip. The shock of contact rolled through them as if for the first time, and they trembled against each other, overwhelmed. Then Natalia shifted beneath Olivia's weight, letting out a contented sigh as she settled into place. "I will never stop loving how this feels."
"Me either." Olivia kissed Natalia once, twice, three times, adding, "It's like coming home."
"Coming home and Christmas all in one." Natalia caught at a lock of Olivia's hair, tucking it behind her ear before tracing the line of her brow. "Do you have any idea how happy you make me?"
"No. Tell me." Natalia laughed at that, and Olivia felt the happiness rippling through her wife's body. She leaned forward, pressing kisses across Natalia's face while she said, "You know, it occurs to me that I've never had a wife before."
"Neither have I," Natalia replied, letting loose a smile like a supernova. "We're very modern, aren't we?"
"If you live in the eighteenth century." Olivia traced a fingertip down Natalia's flank from breast to hip, murmuring, "It also occurs to me that since I've never had a wife before, I should probably engage in a thorough inspection, just to make sure I know what I've gotten myself into." She felt Natalia shiver and grinned in response, adding, "Are you open for inspection, Mrs. Spencer?"
Natalia's eyes widened, and for a moment, Olivia thought she was going to get scolded for the double entendre. Then Natalia let out a peal of laughter, her dimples blossoming on either side of a wide smile. "That may be the worst line I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of bad lines."
"I guess all those years waitressing would make you an expert." Olivia slid her hips against Natalia's, smiling when she felt her wife's breath catch at the sensation. "But that still didn't answer my question."
Natalia gave Olivia a nod, the trust on her face like the taste of freedom on Olivia's tongue. "I'm more than open to it."
"And I am so in love with you." Olivia gazed into Natalia's brown eyes, feeling that rare, precious connection crackling between them. Let me show you, she thought as she doled out kisses. At least let me try.
What followed was slow, and thorough, and focused on the minutest of details. Olivia started by kissing her way down Natalia's neck, each precious beat of the pulse beneath her lips seeming to chime in time with her own heart. Shoulders came next, and Natalia's were perfection, their olive-toned curves flowing down into smooth-skinned, surprisingly toned arms, a crease of elbow yielding to forearm to wrist to a strong, expressive, astonishingly delicate hand. Anticipation of what came next drew her onward, and she smiled up at Natalia, feeling the hand she had just been kissing slide into her hair as she lowered her head to first one breast, then the other. She lingered, kissing and caressing, something primal and instinctive rising in her as she tasted those glorious curves. She felt Natalia grow restless beneath her, and so she gave one last kiss to the underside of each breast, then moved on to Natalia's stomach, tracing the line of her ribs, the curve of her belly, the soft dip of her navel and the jagged line of the her scar. Hipbone, thigh, that sweet, specific transition point between the two - Olivia caressed them all with her fingers, then her mouth, Natalia's quick breaths and whispered words doing nothing but fueling the heat coiling in Olivia's own belly. The longing to taste was overwhelming, yet she paused, lifting her head to gaze at Natalia with a question in her eyes.
For an instant they stared at each other, and then Natalia nodded, her eyes luminous, her smile somehow both tremulous and serene. Olivia kissed the hand that reached down to caress her face, and then she lowered her head, losing herself in her consuming work. The tenderness of it, the intimacy that was being so deeply connected to Natalia's body, was unlike anything she had ever known, prompting a need to give and then give some more, to be both demanding and utterly responsive. There were few sounds save for the scrape of skin across sheets and the noises of birds waking outside, and yet to Olivia it seemed as if music were playing, a song in two voices that intertwined until they united in a single melody. The music was growing louder, crescendoing into something transcendent when Olivia felt the hands in her hair tighten, the stomach muscles beneath her tense. She lifted her head, giving herself over to the kiss that Natalia demanded, that she inhaled as if it were life-giving air. In the stillness that followed, Olivia pressed her forehead to Natalia's, feeling a tremor run through her.
"You're so close." Olivia found Natalia's dark, passion-clouded eyes, their pupils dilated until only a sliver of iris remained. Something raw and undiluted flared between them, the intensity of it so strong that Olivia felt like she might crack. She willed herself to hold steady, her voice ragged as she whispered, "Let me give this to you."
The words seemed to reach Natalia as if from very far away, but at last she blinked, nodding once before letting her eyes fall shut. She eased back as if letting go of a sinking ship, the surrender in her movements both terrifying and exhilarating, and Olivia reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers and bringing them to rest in the hollow just beneath Natalia's breasts. Olivia pressed a reassuring kiss to Natalia's hip, then lowered her head again, the feel of her tongue against Natalia's skin coursing through her like the sweetest of wines. Her other hand continued its gentle work, caressing in a slow, circular pattern until the tremble beneath her became a shudder, then a deep, rolling wave. Olivia lingered as they crashed against her, one after another, until Natalia's cries peaked and faded into silence. Then she shifted upward and laid her head against Natalia's stomach, finding a peace unlike anything she had ever imagined in the feel of that smooth skin and the sound of that soft breath.
When hands that had been still began to caress once again, Olivia turned her head, pressing a kiss to Natalia's stomach. She pushed herself onto all fours, crawling upward until she was leaning over Natalia. "Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?"
"Some things don't require words." Natalia ran her hands down Olivia's sides, a smile that would make Da Vinci weep spreading across her face. "Your actions speak for themselves, and they were as beautiful as you are."
"That's a way better line than the one I came up with." Olivia braced herself on her forearms and leaned down to give Natalia a kiss. She was only peripherally aware of Natalia's swiftly moving fingers as she drew back, saying, "I don't know about you, but I'm -"
Without any warning, she felt Natalia slide into her, the shock of it roaring through her like a nuclear bomb. Her head dropped, and she pressed her forehead against Natalia's shoulder, fighting to keep herself upright. "That…that was not polite."
"Someone once told me that sex isn't always polite." Olivia raised her head in time to see the smile dancing across Natalia's face, the innocence of her dimples no match for the wicked curve of her lips.
"Whoever said that was really smart." Olivia felt a tremble run through her arms, and she closed her eyes, a whimper slipping from her throat when Natalia began to move inside her. "God, Natalia. Please don't stop."
"Is this too much?" Natalia brushed her free hand over Olivia's sternum, tracing the line of her transplant scar. "I don't want you to strain yourself."
"I'm more afraid that I'll fall on you." Olivia shuddered, feeling her hips begin to move in time with Natalia's hand. Her balance wobbled, but before she could say anything, Natalia was sitting up, scooting backward while simultaneously propping a pillow against the headboard. She planted her back against it, then drew Olivia forward until Olivia was straddling her lap.
"Is this better?" Natalia asked.
Olivia grasped the headboard with one hand, the other catching at the base of Natalia's neck. She felt her knees sink into the mattress, her body trembling from the sweet, aching strain of Natalia inside her. She lowered her head until their foreheads were almost touching and said in a low voice, "We're not even going to discuss what you just led me by."
"I'll never tell." Natalia smiled again, those dimples flashing. Then her face shifted, the calm in it as deep and steady as the ocean that had once soothed Olivia to sleep at night. "I love you."
Olivia simply nodded, hoping that somehow, everything she couldn't find words to say was written in her eyes. Then she kissed Natalia, letting the silence between them speak volumes while they went to a place that was theirs alone.
-------
It was chilly on the porch, in spite of the blanket that Olivia had wrapped around her shoulders. Fall was coming on fast, and soon both this bench and their yard would be covered with snow and their morning coffee would have to be enjoyed indoors. But for now, Olivia was willing to tolerate a shiver or two if it meant she could look at the towering pine and oak trees that lined the fence and trace the outline of Natalia's garden, all staked out and ready in expectation of spring. Soon enough they would be in the Florida Keys, settling sail on Mano's boat for a cruise to Puerto Rico and San Cristobel, with a stop on a private island resort in between. One week of sun, food, and each other, Olivia thought. And then home, back to our life with Emma and whatever comes next.
She heard footsteps inside the house, but before she could get up, Natalia had pushed the screen door open with one elbow, holding it steady with her hip while she kept the contents of two stoneware mugs from sloshing all over her hands.
"Let me help you," Olivia said, but Natalia urged her back into place with a quick flick of her eyes.
"I've got it," Natalia said, letting the creaky green door bang shut behind her. She handed Olivia a mug of coffee, then settled into the space Olivia had made for her, pulling the folds of the blanket around them both. "Besides, you couldn't stop shivering for the longest time. Are you sure you're not getting sick?"
"Sweetheart, that had nothing to do with being cold." Olivia took Natalia's hand, drawing it to her cheek and pressing a sideways kiss to it while she smiled, arching an eyebrow for emphasis.
"Oh," Natalia said, dropping her eyes. When she raised them again, the smile she turned on Olivia was pleased to the point of prideful.
"Oh, indeed." Olivia let out a laugh, then took a sip of her coffee. She waited for Natalia to do the same, then set her mug aside and opened her arms, waiting for Natalia to slide into place. They snuggled against each other, basking in the rare pleasure of a quiet morning without anything to think about except their coffee and each other.
After several minutes, Natalia broke the silence with a soft, "So I was thinking."
"Does it involve remodeling?" Olivia asked, her tone causing Natalia to laugh.
"Not necessarily. Just…" Natalia looked up at Olivia, her dark eyes both hopeful and hesitant. "I was thinking that in a year or so, when we're sure I'm healthy, it might be time to have a baby."
"A baby?" Olivia asked, putting her coffee down suddenly for fear she would spill it. "You mean...together?"
"Together, with two parents, the way neither one of us have ever been able to do before." Natalia caught at Olivia's hand, rubbing a thumb over her wedding ring before saying, "But the really crazy part is, I was thinking that we could ask Sam if he would…you know."
Olivia paused for a moment, wanting to make sure she was understanding Natalia's suggestion before responding. She chewed on it for a minute, turned it over, chewed again. "Did you just say you want to have my brother's baby?"
"I want to have a Spencer baby," Natalia said, determination in her eyes. "A baby that is as much yours as it can possibly be."
Olivia let out a rueful laugh. "So you want a baby with a bad temper and a worse heart and…"
"A baby with your eyes," Natalia interrupted, pressing a hand to Olivia's cheek. "And your cheekbones. And your smile."
"But she has to have your dimples," Olivia insisted.
"Oh, the dimples are non-negotiable," Natalia said with a sly smile.
"Good to know," Olivia said, leaning in for kiss. She felt the idea take root as they broke apart, and shook her head, overwhelmed. "I'll never understand how I got lucky enough to find you."
"I think we found something in each other that we didn't know we were looking for." Natalia drew Olivia down into another kiss, one that gradually grew passionate. When they broke apart, Natalia cleared her throat, asking, "What time does our plane leave?"
"One o'clock." Olivia threaded their fingers together beneath the blankets, unable to resist running her thumb over that sensitive spot at the edge of Natalia's wrist. She felt Natalia squirm in response and let out a laugh, saying, "The car is coming to pick us up at 11:30, which gives us two hours with nothing to do since both our suitcases are completely packed."
"That's because I packed yours," Natalia said, giving Olivia a knowing look.
"Details." Olivia winked at Natalia, tilting her head toward the house. "But since you're so efficient, we could…" She smiled, letting the curve of her lips finish the sentence.
"Nothing would make me happier." Natalia shifted against Olivia, drawing her down into a kiss that was both tender and passionate. Yet when it was over, they settled back onto the bench, not quite ready for the moment to end. This is all I need to be content, Olivia thought. This place, and our kids safe and happy, and Natalia in my arms. It was something she still couldn't quite wrap her head around, and yet she was learning to accept it, to simply be grateful for the life she had found when she had thought hers was at an end.
"Do you think things will stay like this?" Natalia asked, and Olivia saw a shadow cross her wife's face, perhaps a memory of the dark times they had faced, perhaps a flicker of fear over the always uncertain future.
"We live in Springfield," Olivia said with a shrug. "It's only a matter of time before we get abducted by aliens or kidnapped by pirates."
"Or cloned," Natalia said, her mood lightening at the recollection of one of their town's more outlandish tales.
"Or cloned, or have a long-lost child appear…wait, I already did that, or…" Olivia cuddled Natalia closer, letting out a soft laugh at the ridiculousness of the crazy, beautiful life they shared. "The list of possibilities goes on and on."
"I guess life in this town will always be an adventure," Natalia said, fixing Olivia with one of her most radiant smiles.
"It will be." Olivia smiled back at her, pressing their foreheads together, and then she kissed Natalia for no other reason than because she could. "But no matter what happens, we'll face it together."