A Cold Wind Blows (2/13)
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia
Rating: PG to slightly south of R (for same sex kissing and some mild nudity and language)
Disclaimers: the characters of Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera and other Springfield-ites are owned by P&G and broadcast by CBS/Telenext. No profit is made from the posting/writing of this fanfiction and no copyright infringement intended.
Spoilers: Just up to the engagement party
Special Thanks: To lbecka I had no idea how important a beta was-until I found a great one! Thanks for all the effort and time you put into whipping this puppy into shape!! Truly!
Chapter 2.
Olivia stirred the chili and surveyed the table one final time. Everything was set. She headed to her room to freshen up a bit before Natalia got home.
Her day had been productive, though her plan had gone a little off track. She was doubtful that Emma would make a pleasant showing at dinner. Her youngest daughter was currently barricaded in her room, sobbing about the injustices of being grounded, the trauma of Natalia getting married, and the suddenness of Jane’s departure.
Olivia ground her teeth as she pulled on a fresh top, the pink one with the sleeves that came down over her hands because Natalia had commented that she liked that one. Emma had readily admitted badgering Jane into taking her to the courthouse and begged her mother not to let the nanny go but really, could she trust a woman who allowed an eight year old to con her into something as ludicrous as testifying for the man who had kidnapped her? There was no room for compromise on the matter.
And she knew that Emma was clearly worried about moving from the farmhouse. Even the child understood this was inevitable, given the pending nuptials between Frank and Natalia. It amazed Olivia that Natalia still seemed surprised at this natural reaction to her engagement. When Olivia had taken Emma to the new house, the one that she’d put an offer on earlier in the day, Emma had cried. Yes, she liked the play center. Yes, she had friends who lived around the corner. Yes, her room was bigger. But it wasn’t the farmhouse. There were no ducks, and Natalia would not be able to tuck her in and kiss her nose every night. Life was not fair, and she’d burst into tears before she ran into her room and slammed the door.
Olivia closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath, steeling her nerves for what seemed like the millionth time that day. Why had she pressured Natalia into accepting Frank’s proposal? Was she terrified that Natalia really did love Frank? Judging from Natalia’s actions, it didn’t seem as if that were the case. Natalia seemed withdrawn and as animated as a shadow when she was with Frank. And Frank, well he was just clueless. Couldn’t he see that Natalia was so much more than just a struggling woman with a child in prison? She was not a woman who needed rescuing and Olivia suspected that Frank felt as though he was on a white stallion and that Natalia was in distress. She didn’t doubt that Frank loved the idea of Natalia. Hell, who wouldn’t? But his idea of Natalia paled in comparison to the reality of the woman.
This was a woman capable of the grandest sacrifice to keep her loved ones safe and healthy. This was a woman capable of great compassion with a wellspring of grace and empathy who would work herself to death if she wasn’t monitored. This was a woman with a quick mind, a sharp eye for value and a self-deprecating manner that made Gandhi seem arrogant. This was a woman who could achieve great things, yet found comfort and peace in the smallest of gestures.
“She IS a freakin’ superhero,” Olivia whispered sadly. Sighing, she exited her bedroom and went to her daughter’s door.
"Em?”
“She’s not here,” was the hiccoughing reply.
“OK…..well can you give her a message?” Olivia felt absurd standing there trying to make peace with a locked door.
“Maybe.”
“Tell her that there’s chili on the stove and that there are ice cream sundaes for dessert- that’s her favorite, you know! Oh, and the most important thing, would you please tell her that her mommy loves her very much and hates that things seem so confusing to her right now.” Olivia paused, then continued in a softer tone. “Things are confusing for me too. Would you tell her that for me, pretty please?”
The silence stretched into half a minute before Olivia heard movement and the door opened a crack. Emma’s big eyes were filled with tears. “Mommy?”
“Oh, Emma. Come here, baby.” Olivia knelt and scooped her daughter into a big hug.
“You know I love you, don’t you?”
Emma just buried her head in Olivia’s neck and huddled for a moment. With a shuddering breath, she finally answered in a small, muffled voice. “Why are you confused?”
Olivia smiled at her daughter’s concern. Despite everything around them, all of the uncertainties, all of the change, and all of the potential heartache, she knew that this was good. She pulled back slightly and cupped Emma’s face with her hands.
“Because, honey, I know things are changing all around us. And sometimes that’s not so easy to deal with, even for grown-ups. But you know, that doesn’t change the fact that I love you more than anything. And so does Natalia. We may not be living here, but she will still be a big part of your life. I bet she’ll still need your help with the ducks.”
Emma chewed her bottom lip. “Do you think she’ll let me spend the night sometimes?”
Olivia smiled. “I am pretty sure she will love that.” She tilted her head. “You know Em, Natalia is going to be really sad to see us move, so we should try and be brave for her. Do you think you can do that?”
Internally, Olivia hated herself for manipulating her daughter, but she knew that in the end, it would be so much easier for all of them if Natalia thought Emma was okay with the idea of moving.
Emma nodded, her eyes still clouded with sadness. “I can try.”
Olivia pulled her in for another hug. “Thank you.”
She breathed in the slightly floral, slightly duck foody scent of her daughter and thanked God for such a miracle.
“All right then. Why don’t you wash your face and then come on down for dinner? Natalia should be home any minute.”
Olivia was stopped at the head of the stairs by Emma’s voice. “Mommy?”
The girl had paused at the doorway of the bathroom.
“What is it, honey?”
“If Natalia is going to be sad to see us go, why can’t we just stay? Can’t we live here with her and Frank?”
Olivia had to admit the logic was flawless. Until you factored in that Olivia would probably smother Frank in his sleep when the jealousy got to be too much. Then there would be prison time, and that would certainly leave a therapy-worthy scar on young Emma’s psyche. However, that was probably not the answer a parenting advice columnist would recommend as suitable for the situation.
So she smiled sadly and simply replied, “Emma that just won’t work. But we’ll make sure that you get to see Natalia often, OK?”
Emma nodded and with a sigh of defeat, turned and entered the bathroom.
Olivia headed downstairs wondering how she would manage to protect her heart while making certain that Natalia remained a vital part of her daughter’s life. She knew from past weeks that being near Natalia was nine parts torture and one part solace. She still couldn’t quite describe the swirl of emotions that were physically tangible when the Latina woman smiled at her or gently greeted….
“Hey.”
Startled, Olivia jerked her head up.
Natalia held her hands out in apology. “I’m sorry. I thought you heard me come in.”
Olivia shook her head, willing her heart to slow down. “Lost in thought, I guess.” She swallowed. “Hey.”
Natalia gestured to the stove. “You cooked?”
“Chili. I don’t think I butchered the recipe too badly.”
Natalia smiled tentatively. “It certainly smells like it’s supposed to.”
The silence grew longer as the two women watched one another, uncertain of the new tension between them.
Olivia cleared her throat. “Iced tea?”
Natalia shook herself from her reverie and moved to the cabinet. “I’ll get it.”
“It’s done.” Olivia nodded at the set table. “Let me pour.”
Emma walked in and her eyes lit up when she saw Natalia.
“Hey honey!” Natalia leaned down and hugged the girl. “How was school?”
Olivia poured drinks as Emma recounted her day at school.
“And then, Mommy came and picked me up.” Her voice trailed to a halt as she once again remembered the trip to the new house.
Olivia swallowed the sudden lump in her throat at the hesitation in Emma’s voice. To ease the moment she called out in a falsely cheery voice, “Alrighty! Who’s hungry? I could eat a horse!”
She grabbed a bowl and started dishing out the chili.
“Cheese and chopped onions are on the table.”
“Ewww, onions!” Emma groaned, a delighted spark in her eye.
Automatically, Natalia responded, “Onions make you grow up strong and quick. Plus, they’re a great defense on a bad date.”
She leaned over and tickled Emma, who giggled and squirmed with pleasure. This was a routine exchange when the dinner menu consisted of burgers, hot dogs or chili.
And like that, the ice was broken. The three sat down and passed chili and salad. They talked about ducks, arithmetic, cartoons and work. Afterward, Emma picked up dishes and stacked them in the sink. She then looked expectantly at Olivia, who winked at Natalia and asked. “Anyone for dessert? I think there’s ice cream in the freezer, and I know I spotted some hot fudge in a saucepan on the stove. I bet if we look really hard we can find some whipped cream and cherries in the fridge. Oh, wait. I might have eaten all the cherries for lunch. Hmmm, what about olives instead?”
Emma laughed and rolled her eyes. “Mommy.”
“What?” Olivia stood up and joined her daughter in taking out the ingredients for their favorite dessert.
Natalia watched the easy give and take and felt a sudden constriction in her chest. She grimaced with the knowledge that this scene might not be played out in her kitchen for too much longer.
Turning, Olivia saw the stricken look pass over Natalia’s face. As their eyes locked, she felt the warmth drain from the room.
Emma, head still buried in the fridge, asked, “Natalia do you want nuts?”
“No, olives sound good to me.” Natalia answered with a forced cheerfulness.
“You and Mommy are weird.”
Oblivious to the sudden tension between the two women, Emma devoured her sundae then headed upstairs to do homework.
Olivia nervously began to clear the ice cream dishes, when a gentle hand on her arm made her freeze. “Can we talk?”
“Oh no, I’m not giving you the recipe until you tell me your secret with tuna noodle casserole. I know it has something to do with the chips.” Olivia joked weakly.
“When are you leaving?” Natalia gripped her napkin tightly.
Olivia took a deep breath and shut her eyes for an instant. Steeling her nerves for what seemed like the millionth and first time of the day, she leveled a look at Natalia and answered, “This weekend.”
Rating: PG to slightly south of R (for same sex kissing and some mild nudity and language)
Disclaimers: the characters of Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera and other Springfield-ites are owned by P&G and broadcast by CBS/Telenext. No profit is made from the posting/writing of this fanfiction and no copyright infringement intended.
Spoilers: Just up to the engagement party
Special Thanks: To lbecka I had no idea how important a beta was-until I found a great one! Thanks for all the effort and time you put into whipping this puppy into shape!! Truly!
Chapter 2.
Olivia stirred the chili and surveyed the table one final time. Everything was set. She headed to her room to freshen up a bit before Natalia got home.
Her day had been productive, though her plan had gone a little off track. She was doubtful that Emma would make a pleasant showing at dinner. Her youngest daughter was currently barricaded in her room, sobbing about the injustices of being grounded, the trauma of Natalia getting married, and the suddenness of Jane’s departure.
Olivia ground her teeth as she pulled on a fresh top, the pink one with the sleeves that came down over her hands because Natalia had commented that she liked that one. Emma had readily admitted badgering Jane into taking her to the courthouse and begged her mother not to let the nanny go but really, could she trust a woman who allowed an eight year old to con her into something as ludicrous as testifying for the man who had kidnapped her? There was no room for compromise on the matter.
And she knew that Emma was clearly worried about moving from the farmhouse. Even the child understood this was inevitable, given the pending nuptials between Frank and Natalia. It amazed Olivia that Natalia still seemed surprised at this natural reaction to her engagement. When Olivia had taken Emma to the new house, the one that she’d put an offer on earlier in the day, Emma had cried. Yes, she liked the play center. Yes, she had friends who lived around the corner. Yes, her room was bigger. But it wasn’t the farmhouse. There were no ducks, and Natalia would not be able to tuck her in and kiss her nose every night. Life was not fair, and she’d burst into tears before she ran into her room and slammed the door.
Olivia closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath, steeling her nerves for what seemed like the millionth time that day. Why had she pressured Natalia into accepting Frank’s proposal? Was she terrified that Natalia really did love Frank? Judging from Natalia’s actions, it didn’t seem as if that were the case. Natalia seemed withdrawn and as animated as a shadow when she was with Frank. And Frank, well he was just clueless. Couldn’t he see that Natalia was so much more than just a struggling woman with a child in prison? She was not a woman who needed rescuing and Olivia suspected that Frank felt as though he was on a white stallion and that Natalia was in distress. She didn’t doubt that Frank loved the idea of Natalia. Hell, who wouldn’t? But his idea of Natalia paled in comparison to the reality of the woman.
This was a woman capable of the grandest sacrifice to keep her loved ones safe and healthy. This was a woman capable of great compassion with a wellspring of grace and empathy who would work herself to death if she wasn’t monitored. This was a woman with a quick mind, a sharp eye for value and a self-deprecating manner that made Gandhi seem arrogant. This was a woman who could achieve great things, yet found comfort and peace in the smallest of gestures.
“She IS a freakin’ superhero,” Olivia whispered sadly. Sighing, she exited her bedroom and went to her daughter’s door.
"Em?”
“She’s not here,” was the hiccoughing reply.
“OK…..well can you give her a message?” Olivia felt absurd standing there trying to make peace with a locked door.
“Maybe.”
“Tell her that there’s chili on the stove and that there are ice cream sundaes for dessert- that’s her favorite, you know! Oh, and the most important thing, would you please tell her that her mommy loves her very much and hates that things seem so confusing to her right now.” Olivia paused, then continued in a softer tone. “Things are confusing for me too. Would you tell her that for me, pretty please?”
The silence stretched into half a minute before Olivia heard movement and the door opened a crack. Emma’s big eyes were filled with tears. “Mommy?”
“Oh, Emma. Come here, baby.” Olivia knelt and scooped her daughter into a big hug.
“You know I love you, don’t you?”
Emma just buried her head in Olivia’s neck and huddled for a moment. With a shuddering breath, she finally answered in a small, muffled voice. “Why are you confused?”
Olivia smiled at her daughter’s concern. Despite everything around them, all of the uncertainties, all of the change, and all of the potential heartache, she knew that this was good. She pulled back slightly and cupped Emma’s face with her hands.
“Because, honey, I know things are changing all around us. And sometimes that’s not so easy to deal with, even for grown-ups. But you know, that doesn’t change the fact that I love you more than anything. And so does Natalia. We may not be living here, but she will still be a big part of your life. I bet she’ll still need your help with the ducks.”
Emma chewed her bottom lip. “Do you think she’ll let me spend the night sometimes?”
Olivia smiled. “I am pretty sure she will love that.” She tilted her head. “You know Em, Natalia is going to be really sad to see us move, so we should try and be brave for her. Do you think you can do that?”
Internally, Olivia hated herself for manipulating her daughter, but she knew that in the end, it would be so much easier for all of them if Natalia thought Emma was okay with the idea of moving.
Emma nodded, her eyes still clouded with sadness. “I can try.”
Olivia pulled her in for another hug. “Thank you.”
She breathed in the slightly floral, slightly duck foody scent of her daughter and thanked God for such a miracle.
“All right then. Why don’t you wash your face and then come on down for dinner? Natalia should be home any minute.”
Olivia was stopped at the head of the stairs by Emma’s voice. “Mommy?”
The girl had paused at the doorway of the bathroom.
“What is it, honey?”
“If Natalia is going to be sad to see us go, why can’t we just stay? Can’t we live here with her and Frank?”
Olivia had to admit the logic was flawless. Until you factored in that Olivia would probably smother Frank in his sleep when the jealousy got to be too much. Then there would be prison time, and that would certainly leave a therapy-worthy scar on young Emma’s psyche. However, that was probably not the answer a parenting advice columnist would recommend as suitable for the situation.
So she smiled sadly and simply replied, “Emma that just won’t work. But we’ll make sure that you get to see Natalia often, OK?”
Emma nodded and with a sigh of defeat, turned and entered the bathroom.
Olivia headed downstairs wondering how she would manage to protect her heart while making certain that Natalia remained a vital part of her daughter’s life. She knew from past weeks that being near Natalia was nine parts torture and one part solace. She still couldn’t quite describe the swirl of emotions that were physically tangible when the Latina woman smiled at her or gently greeted….
“Hey.”
Startled, Olivia jerked her head up.
Natalia held her hands out in apology. “I’m sorry. I thought you heard me come in.”
Olivia shook her head, willing her heart to slow down. “Lost in thought, I guess.” She swallowed. “Hey.”
Natalia gestured to the stove. “You cooked?”
“Chili. I don’t think I butchered the recipe too badly.”
Natalia smiled tentatively. “It certainly smells like it’s supposed to.”
The silence grew longer as the two women watched one another, uncertain of the new tension between them.
Olivia cleared her throat. “Iced tea?”
Natalia shook herself from her reverie and moved to the cabinet. “I’ll get it.”
“It’s done.” Olivia nodded at the set table. “Let me pour.”
Emma walked in and her eyes lit up when she saw Natalia.
“Hey honey!” Natalia leaned down and hugged the girl. “How was school?”
Olivia poured drinks as Emma recounted her day at school.
“And then, Mommy came and picked me up.” Her voice trailed to a halt as she once again remembered the trip to the new house.
Olivia swallowed the sudden lump in her throat at the hesitation in Emma’s voice. To ease the moment she called out in a falsely cheery voice, “Alrighty! Who’s hungry? I could eat a horse!”
She grabbed a bowl and started dishing out the chili.
“Cheese and chopped onions are on the table.”
“Ewww, onions!” Emma groaned, a delighted spark in her eye.
Automatically, Natalia responded, “Onions make you grow up strong and quick. Plus, they’re a great defense on a bad date.”
She leaned over and tickled Emma, who giggled and squirmed with pleasure. This was a routine exchange when the dinner menu consisted of burgers, hot dogs or chili.
And like that, the ice was broken. The three sat down and passed chili and salad. They talked about ducks, arithmetic, cartoons and work. Afterward, Emma picked up dishes and stacked them in the sink. She then looked expectantly at Olivia, who winked at Natalia and asked. “Anyone for dessert? I think there’s ice cream in the freezer, and I know I spotted some hot fudge in a saucepan on the stove. I bet if we look really hard we can find some whipped cream and cherries in the fridge. Oh, wait. I might have eaten all the cherries for lunch. Hmmm, what about olives instead?”
Emma laughed and rolled her eyes. “Mommy.”
“What?” Olivia stood up and joined her daughter in taking out the ingredients for their favorite dessert.
Natalia watched the easy give and take and felt a sudden constriction in her chest. She grimaced with the knowledge that this scene might not be played out in her kitchen for too much longer.
Turning, Olivia saw the stricken look pass over Natalia’s face. As their eyes locked, she felt the warmth drain from the room.
Emma, head still buried in the fridge, asked, “Natalia do you want nuts?”
“No, olives sound good to me.” Natalia answered with a forced cheerfulness.
“You and Mommy are weird.”
Oblivious to the sudden tension between the two women, Emma devoured her sundae then headed upstairs to do homework.
Olivia nervously began to clear the ice cream dishes, when a gentle hand on her arm made her freeze. “Can we talk?”
“Oh no, I’m not giving you the recipe until you tell me your secret with tuna noodle casserole. I know it has something to do with the chips.” Olivia joked weakly.
“When are you leaving?” Natalia gripped her napkin tightly.
Olivia took a deep breath and shut her eyes for an instant. Steeling her nerves for what seemed like the millionth and first time of the day, she leveled a look at Natalia and answered, “This weekend.”