GL - Movie Night - Part 30
Title: Movie Night
Author: critic2000
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia
Rating: PG-13 to start, for violence (non-sexual) and language. I am not any kind of a medical expert so if there are some glaring errors, please forgive me.
Disclaimer: I don’t own the Guiding Light characters, they belong to CBS and Proctor and Gamble.
Summary: This is set in the spring of 2009. I’ve taking some liberties with the storyline, mainly Natalia never slept with Frank, hence no engagement etc. So our girls have been just continuing forward raising Emma and getting closer to each other though they are still technically just friends, but that will change… This is a hurt/comfort story so they are headed on a rough ride.
Author’s Note: This is my first fan fiction so please be gentle. This would not have been possible if not for the persistent nudging and awesome editing of my beta/great friend croftlara. Comments are welcome.
( Part 1 ) ( Parts 2 & 3 ) ( Part 4 ) ( Parts 5 & 6 ) ( Part 7 ) ( Part 8 ) ( Part 9 ) ( Part 10 ) ( Part 11 ) ( Part 12 ) ( Part 13 ) ( Parts 14 & 15 ) ( Part 16 ) ( Part 17 ) ( Part 18 ) ( Part 19 ) ( Part 20 ) ( Part 21 ) ( Part 22 ) ( Part 23 ) ( Part 24 ) ( Part 25 ) ( Part 26 ) ( Part 27 ) ( Part 28 ) ( Part 29 )
Chapter 30
The soft light of the sunrise peeked around the curtains that tried to hold back the intrusion of morning. Birds could be heard chirping and the distant sound of a garbage truck broke through the silence of the room. Grateful she had managed to stay awake the last few hours Olivia sighed in relief as though she had won a battle. Unlike her mother Emma typically was a morning person so she would be awake soon and Olivia could claim this little victory, such as it was.
As predicted, a short time later Olivia watched as Emma’s eyes fluttered open and realized that her mother was in bed with her. “Hi mommy,” Emma said with a smile.
“Hey baby,” Olivia responded with a smile that mirrored her daughter’s, “Did you sleep okay?”
Emma yawned and stretched before she curled closer to Olivia, “Yep. How about you?”
Olivia tightened her hold on Emma, “Just fine baby, just fine.” She doesn’t need to know.
It was then that Emma spotted Jeffrey sitting across the room in a chair. She rose up in the bed a little. “Why is Jeffrey sitting in a chair?”
Uh oh. “We ran out of beds.”
“But why didn’t he sleep on the couch?”
Olivia turned her head to see Jeffrey sitting there innocently. You had to be a smart child, didn’t you? “Guess he just didn’t think about that. But that chair sure does look comfortable.” Switching subjects, hoping she wouldn’t notice, Olivia asked, “Why don’t we get up?”
Emma looked from her mommy to Jeffrey. Maybe this has something to do with mommy waking me up last night… Emma started to move without answering and Olivia followed. As they walked by Jeffrey, Emma stopped and said to him, “You can lay down in my bed if you like, I’m up now.”
“Thank you sweetheart but I’ll probably just stay up myself.”
“Okay.” Emma had a thought; she leaned over and whispered in Jeffrey’s ear, “Jane won’t be up for a few minutes, will you help me make pancakes for mommy?”
Jeffrey pulled back so he could look at Emma, he smiled and said, “That sounds like a great idea, of course I’ll help.”
Olivia watched the exchange with her brow furrowed, trying to figure out what her daughter had in mind, it was certain to have something to do with her.
Jeffrey stood and took Emma’s hand, “Let’s go.”
“Mommy, you have to wait in the living room,” Emma instructed before leading Jeffrey to the kitchen.
Olivia sat on the couch and turned on the TV, she realized that despite another night with very little restful sleep, she wasn’t feeling as tired as she had been.
When the smell of coffee mixed with bacon permeated the air, the other bedroom door opened and Jane appeared looking more than a little tired after the late night they had been through. She stumbled her way to the living room and greeted Olivia with a “Hey” that sounded more like a question than a statement.
Olivia turned her head, “Hey to you too. Did you sleep?”
“A little. Did you?” Jane asked while sniffing the air.
“No,” Came the short reply.
“Are you cooking?”
“Oh that. No, Emma wanted to make breakfast. I think she’s the only one who really slept at all last night.”
Jane’s eyebrows rose up under her bangs, “Emma’s cooking… in my kitchen… by herself?”
“Oh God no Jane, Jeffrey’s helping her.”
Jane nodded then walked around to the front of the couch and dropped in it next to Olivia.
Olivia turned to her employee, “Jane I’m sorry about last night and well, about all of this really. You’ve been a wonderful help and a good friend.”
Jane could have responded that it was her job but it was more than that to her. “Emma means a great deal to me, I would do anything for her.” And I think she needs me a lot right now if last night is any indication. “You know, I care about you too Olivia, and Natalia. I really hope that you’ll take care of yourself.”
Unlike the last time Jane offered her opinion about her health, this time, Olivia had no intention of snapping at the young woman. “I appreciate your concern, I’m working on it. I don’t think I have much choice, both my body and mind are telling me it’s time. Well that and all of the people around me.” She added with a fake chuckle that Jane knew not to respond to.
All of the people around you genuinely care Olivia, we can all help you if you let us.
Emma came bounding into the living room announcing, “Breakfast is ready!” Then she ran to her mother and nanny and took each of their hands to lead them to the dining room where Jeffrey was finishing putting the food onto the table.
***
Breakfast was surprisingly upbeat considering the only person at the table who had slept reasonably well was Emma. Olivia had been a little reticent about eating with her recent stomach issues but found after taking her first bite of pancake that she was hungry and the food seemed to settle fairly well. Now that everyone was full of pancakes and bacon Jane and Olivia cleaned the dishes while Jeffrey and Emma watched cartoons in the living room. As breakfast had come to a close Emma had announced that it was only fair that her mother and Jane clean up since she and Jeffrey had cooked. Olivia hadn’t minded actually as it gave her a few minutes to talk to Jane.
Jane had taken to washing while Olivia dried the morning dishes. While taking the third plate from Jane, Olivia finally broke the comfortable silence that surrounded them.
“Umm… Listen, I don’t know where this is going.”
Jane paused and looked at her employer, “What do you mean?”
“I might have screwed up last night.”
“No, it’s okay, everybody’s fine just a little tired.” Jane interrupted.
Shaking her head Olivia continued, “No, I mean Jeffrey it going to tell Dr. Bauer if he hasn’t already and I don’t know what Rick will do. He might try to admit me to Cedars. I don’t think that’s necessary myself but what do I know, I’m losing my mind?” Olivia paused to rub her palm across her forehead while her eyes filled with unshed tears. “The point is if that happens I’m not sure how Emma will react or if I even want her to see that, it could bring up some scary memories from last year when I was sick. I…I may have to ask you to take her to San Francisco to stay with Ava. It’s the last thing I want but it may be the best thing for my daughter. Do you think you could do that if it becomes necessary?”
Jane moved closer to Olivia while putting down the dish in her hand, “I told you, I’d do anything for her. If the time comes and you think that’s best, you can count on me.” Jane moved closer to Olivia while putting down the dish in her hand and picking up the towel to clean off the soap, feeling bold she took Olivia’s hands in hers and looked straight into her eyes, “Everything is going to be okay Olivia. I know right now your world is tipped upside down but it’ll right itself, just give it time and patience and do whatever you need to do for yourself.” Jane gave a half smile, “Emma is fine and she’s going to stay that way. I promise.”
Olivia couldn’t handle Jane’s gaze any longer, she lowered her head and sniffled then took in a deep breath slowly letting it exhale. “Thank you, again, for everything. Emma and I are lucky to have you.”
“Olivia?” Jeffrey appeared at the door. When both Jane and Olivia turned to him he said, “We need to get going.”
Olivia turned back to Jane then looked at the remaining dishes to be washed. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of them.” Jane said before Olivia spoke.
“Thanks.”
Walking out of the kitchen Olivia went to Emma who was fascinated with a commercial for some toy. “Mommy, I have to have this.”
Olivia glanced at the T.V. that showed children doing disgusting science experiments involving slime. Scrunching up her face she noted, “Eww, that’s gross Em.”
“No it’s really cool, there’s a microscope and everything. I could learn a lot.”
Something about the normal mom/kid discourse made Olivia smile and believe for a moment that what Jane said was true. I think maybe everything really will be okay. At least with my Emma anyway and that’s really all that matters. What a trooper. Sitting down on the couch next to Emma, Olivia put her hand on her child’s head. “Sweetie, I have to go with Jeffrey now.”
“When can I see Natalia today?”
Olivia was hoping she would forget that but this was Emma so no such luck.
“I’ll call Jane later and hopefully you’ll be able to come to the hospital.”
“But mommy you said…”
Olivia interrupted the child, “Em, I know what I said and we’ll do our best to make that happen okay?”
Emma pouted, “You promised.”
Olivia closed her eyes briefly, hating herself that she might not be able to keep the simple promise she had made, “Jellybean, I just don’t want to promise again just in case something comes up.” It was as honest as she could be.
Emma shook her head, “Whatever.”
Oh Jesus, she’s too young for ‘whatever’, God help me when the teenage years hit. “I’ll call you later today and we’ll see if you can come to the hospital.”
Emma sniffled, “Did I do something wrong?”
“No baby!” Olivia gathered Emma in her arms. How did this get so fucked up? She let go of Emma enough to lift her chin so that she could see Olivia’s eyes. “You are perfect, you’ve done nothing wrong. You’re my sweet little angel. But it wasn’t fair for me to promise that yesterday when I don’t know what’s going to happen today. I’m sorry. But it is my every intention to have you visit Natalia every day, I just can’t promise.”
Emma looked like she was thinking about this for a minute. “I think I understand. I just want…” Her words trailed off.
“What do you want baby?”
“I just want everything to go back to the way it was with you, me and Natalia at the farmhouse. I even want to go back to school.”
“I want all of that too.” Olivia hadn’t really discussed it with Emma but she’d kept her out of school the past couple of days in case she had been upset. “Honey if you want to go back to school tomorrow then you can, I just thought you might like to take a few days to rest from what happened.”
“Why?” The simple question made Olivia chuckle. Of course; ‘why?’ You are amazing my little Jellybean.
Ignoring the question because she didn’t want Emma thinking that she should be upset, Olivia asked, “Do you want to go to school tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Okay then I’ll call the school and tell them to expect you.”
Emma smiled, “YAY. I miss my friends and my teacher.”
“How ‘bout a hug?”
Emma dove into her mother’s arms and hugged her tightly. Having Emma so close, Olivia breathed deeply and inhaled the scent of her baby like it was a balm to her soul.
“Thank you sweetie, for singing to me last night, it was just what I needed.”
Pulled out of the embrace Emma asked, “Really?” Shrugging her shoulders she added, “That’s just what you sing to me when I have a bad dream and it always works!”
Olivia looked back to Jeffrey who had been patiently waiting. “Looks like I really have to get going honey. I love you. I will talk to you later.” Olivia bent to kiss Emma before standing and taking Emma’s hand. “Walk me to the door, okay?”
Another hug and kiss at the door and Jeffrey led Olivia from the apartment to the car.
To Be Continued...