The Courtship of Emma's Mother

by Patricia L. Givens

See Part 1 for disclaimers.

Chapter 25:  Old Fashioned is a Donut

Wednesday Morning

Natalia hummed softly to herself as she sat behind Olivia's desk, her hands flipping quickly through the paperwork that littered the blotter.  The small smile that had been her constant companion since Olivia had proposed five days earlier grew every time she glanced up to focus briefly on the picture frame sitting on the desktop.  Pursing her lips, she finally gave in and picked it up, her fingers running lovingly across Olivia's face.  It was a picture of the two of them that Emma had snapped shortly after they had moved into the farmhouse.  They were in the kitchen, standing next to the sink; both of them laughing as Olivia leaned in way too close to say something under her breath.  Natalia remembered the moment well; remembered the small shock of pleasure that had run down her body when she felt the older woman's breath on her cheek; when she had glanced up and recognized that the fire burning in those bright green eyes was the same that burned in her own. 

It wasn't the very beginning of their dance... but it was the first time she had known with absolute certainty... that they were dancing together.

The brunette closed her eyes, her breath becoming shallow as she ran through all of the memories in her head, the hundreds of little moments that made up her courtship with Olivia.  The subtle hints, the touches, the smiles... the looks. 

Oh God... the looks...

Her body trembled as she remembered each glance that had taken her breath away, leaving her wanting, leaving her aching...  Even now, alone with just her thoughts, she could feel her body responding as though the older woman were there, kissing her softly... running her fingers through her hair...

"Hey Natalia!"

The brunette squeaked loudly as her body jerked in surprise, the picture frame in her hand sliding free to thump loudly on the desk.  "Ashlee!"  Her hand flew up to her throat as she tried to get her breathing under control.  The rapid switch from modestly aroused to surprised and embarrassed left her more than a little flustered.   "What..."  The word came out as a croak and she took a deep breath, coughing lightly to clear her throat.  "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you!"

Natalia provided the 'duh' that was implied at the end of that sentence in her own head.  "Why?"

Ashlee rolled her eyes as her lips parted in a huge grin.  "Are you kidding?  We have so much work to do!"

"But... Doris and Blake got the church... we already picked the colors... we gave you the invitation list... the kitchen has the menu for the reception and they're already working on the cake... the ballroom is set aside for the reception and we talked about the decorations last night. You said you could handle putting all of it together so..."  She smiled as she shrugged.  "What's left?"

"A couple things!"  Ashlee clapped her hands together excitedly as she sat down.  "First... we need to talk about the dress."

"The dress?"  Natalia blinked. 

"Yeah!  You know, the long white thing you wear down the aisle?"

"But... I already have one..."

Ashlee's jaw dropped slightly.  "You're... you're not really thinking about wearing that one again... are you?  I mean... I know it qualifies as only slightly used but still... you were marrying someone else."

Natalia paled slightly.  "I..."  She bit her bottom lip.  "I guess I didn't think about it like that.  It's just... Olivia got that dress for me and... it would be a shame to waste it.  Wouldn't it?"

"You know..." The blonde leaned in closer, glancing around before she said quietly, "It was a really weird style.  Kind of made you look pregnant."

"What?"  Natalia's eyes went wide.

"Trust me, waste the dress.  Or maybe there's some charity for poor pregnant people who want to get married..."  The blonde opened her portfolio and scribbled down a note, talking to herself under her breath.  "Check for poor people..."

Natalia didn't even know how to respond to that.

Ashlee smiled at her.  "We have an appointment at Davina's Bridal in an hour."

"Oh, uh... Olivia has a friend... Monica?"

The blonde flashed her 'duh' face again.  "You can't use Olivia's dressmaker!"

Natalia blinked, her forehead furrowing in confusion.  "Why not?"

"Because!  Haven't you ever heard that it's bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the wedding?"

"Ashlee..."  The brunette leaned across the desk, taking the younger woman's hand and squeezing it firmly.  "There is no groom."

"Well..."  She frowned.  "Technically, I guess that's true, but the principle still applies.  And you are definitely the bride..."

"So... Olivia is..."

"More groomy than you."  Ashlee said matter-of-factly.  "Ask anyone."

Natalia swallowed a laugh.  "I might have to do that."

"Where is she anyway?"

"Olivia?  I don't know.  She should have been here already..."  Natalia glanced towards the doorway, her eyes narrowing when she saw an Olivia-shaped shadow pull up short and quickly turn around.  She raised her voice pointedly.  "I'm sure if she knew you were here she would hurry!"  There was a brief moment where she thought the older woman might still bolt, and then Olivia was walking into the office, a well practiced smile plastered on her face.

"Good morning ladies!  Sorry I'm late."  She came around the desk, dropping a lingering kiss onto Natalia's lips before perching on the arm of the chair.  "So... what did I miss?"

The brunette squeezed her arm.  "Don't ask... trust me."

"Ooookay..."  Olivia laughed.  "How about... what's next?"

"Dinah."  Ashlee looked at them expectantly.

"Dinah?"  Olivia waited a few moments and then shook her head as she sighed, mumbling under her breath.  "Now I understand why your mother has no patience. Oof!"  She made a face at Natalia, rubbing the spot in her side where the younger woman had jabbed her with her thumb.  "What about Dinah?"

"I need to give her an answer on the whole 'wedding segment'."

"The wedding segment?"  Natalia looked up at Olivia in confusion.

"Did I forget to mention that?"  The older woman smiled sheepishly.  "Must have totally slipped my mind."  She quirked her lips to the side.  "It seems that Dinah thinks our wedding would make a great story for all of Springfield . She wants to film it and put it on the evening news."

The brunette paled.  "What?  Why?"

"I dunno."  Olivia waved her hand.  "Something about making a statement... first gay wedding..."  She shrugged.

"That's..."  Natalia cleared her throat.  "That's sweet... I guess... but our wedding..."  She glanced up at Olivia and smiled, her eyes bright.  "Our wedding isn't about making a statement.  It's about honestly, and commitment... and love."  The brunette looked thoughtful. "Three things this town could really use some good examples of....  How about..."  She breathed in deeply.  "...how about if you tell Dinah she can film it and... we'll make up our minds about the rest after we've had some time to think about it?" 

"Okay..."  The young woman nodded eagerly.  "That's half the battle anyway."

Olivia looked at Natalia in surprise.  "Really? I didn't think you'd..."  The words trailed off as the smile the younger woman flashed at her stole her breath away.

"You're mine."  Natalia said simply.  "I'd shout it from the roof tops..."

Olivia smirked.  "But Frank would probably have you arrested."

"It's not like you haven't already been on television anyway,"  Ashlee interjected.  "And this time we won't even mention lesbian porn."

Both women stared at her, their mouths hanging open.

"I went to school with the girl that works in the TV department."

"Of course you did."  Olivia closed her eyes as she rubbed her forehead.  "What else do we need to go over?"

"OOooo!"  Ashlee stood up and started to pace excitedly.  "Okay, so I know you didn't ask me to do this but... I like to think of myself as a full service kind of...well... service so; I just went ahead and did it."  She bit her lower lip.  "Just... keep in mind that I didn't have a lot of time so I was only able to come up with one design..."

Natalia blinked.  "Design?  For what?"

"For your invitations."  She pulled a dark purple envelope out of her portfolio.  "I really hope you like them..."  She slid the card out and laid it face up on the desk.

Olivia and Natalia leaned forward, both of them gasping softly as they studied the invitation in front of them.

It was made up of several layers of textured card stock.  The very bottom was the same deep purple as the envelope and featured distressed edges that created a beautiful frame around the thick, white linen card on top.  Down the left side of the linen ran a smooth purple ribbon cut in a diamond tip.  Olivia reached out and touched it, confirming it was silk.  The top of the ribbon was buried beneath a circle of crimson wax that was a little larger than a half dollar.  Pressed into the wax was the image of an O with an N intertwined.  To the right of that, in perfect cursive were the words:

Olivia Spencer
&
Natalia Rivera


Request The Honor Of Your Presence
As They Share Their Love With The World
Through The Exchange Of Marriage Vows
On Sunday, June Seventh
Two Thousand and Ten
Three O'Clock In The Afternoon
At Springfield Community Church
Main Street, Springfield

Olivia looked astounded.  "I... I called three different printers and they told me there wasn't enough time!  We were just going to tell everyone ourselves."  She shook her head slightly.  "How in the world did you get anyone to do this?"

"Heh..."  Ashlee shrugged as she pursed her lips.  "I might have... maybe... sorta told the printers that they might possibly be a contender for the Beacon's printing contract next year?  If they could make up a hundred and fifty of these by tomorrow."

Natalia glanced up at Olivia, sliding her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud at the look on her lover's face.

"You did what?"  The older woman asked flatly.  She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.  "You're telling me that you bartered one of the Beacon's vendor contracts... for wedding invitations?"

" Our wedding invitations."  Natalia said softly.

Olivia shook her head, unable to keep the smile from her face or the appreciation from her voice as she focused her attention on Ashlee.  "I have to admit it.  You've surprised me."  She picked up the card and fingered the edge, raising an eyebrow at the obvious quality.  "They're incredible."  She looked at Natalia, who nodded, her eyes glistening softly.  "We love them."  She handed the card back and held her hand out, waiting until Ashlee shook it firmly.  "You come and see me when we get back from the honeymoon.  Maybe we can have that talk about a job after all."

"Really?"  She squealed happily.  "That's awesome!  I mean...  you know..."  She tried to restrain her enthusiasm and only ended up looking like she was about to explode.  "It's fantastic... it's..."  She glanced at her watch.  "Crap!"  Her eyes went wide.  "That's not... I mean... I didn't... oh my gosh, we have to go!"  She grabbed her coat and portfolio.  "I have to call the printer with the final approval and then I'll meet you out in front, Natalia.  Bye Olivia!"

The older woman shook her head as she watched Ashlee dash away.  "I swear that girl makes me dizzy."  Her eyebrows rose when Natalia turned in the chair, wrapping her arms around her waist and drawing her into a deep kiss.  "Wow..."  She breathed when they finally broke apart.  "You make me dizzy too."  She ran her thumb across Natalia lips.  "But in a much better way.  What was that for?"

"To tide you over."  The brunette smiled as she stood and gathered her things.  "Until I get back."

Olivia tucked her fingers into Natalia's waistband and pulled her close, pressing her back into the desk as her hands firmly grasped her hips.  "Where are you going anyway?"  She mumbled, her lips trailing over the sensitive skin beneath Natalia's ear.

"Uhm...."  The younger woman swallowed, her body trembling as she felt hands slide down to cup her backside.  "What?"

Olivia smiled against smooth, olive skin.  "Where are you going... and do you have to go right now?"  She tightened her arms, pulling their bodies together firmly.

"Olivia..."  Natalia whimpered, breathing in deeply as she pulled away.  "Behave..."  She straightened her clothes, her eyes never leaving the older woman's lips.  "Otherwise I'll never get through taking off my clothes with any kind of dignity."

The older woman tilted her head to the side.  "You're going somewhere with Ashlee.... to take off your clothes?"

Natalia laughed.  "We're going shopping for a dress."

"Ahh, right!  I told Monica to expect you."

"Sorry.  Ashlee is taking me to see someone named Davina."

"Oh?"  Olivia's eyebrows rose curiously.  "What's wrong with Monica?"

"Nothing, but apparently you're too groomy."

"I'm too..."  She blinked.  "I'm what?"

Natalia laughed waving a hand at her as she walked away.  "I told you, don't ask."

"Wait," She followed the brunette to the door.  "Groomy?  What the hell is 'groomy'?"

Natalia only laughed harder as she walked away.

"Groomy?"  Olivia watched her go; calling after her, "That's not even a word!"

*    *    *    *    *

Frank Cooper was having a very bad day.

As if it wasn't bad enough that his fiance had left him at the altar, and he had taken plenty of 'good-natured' ribbing from the guys in the squad room over that.  No, now he had to deal with the current rumors being tossed around the station with what could only be described as gleeful abandon.

Rumors about a certain dark haired Latina turning heads and dropping jaws with another woman on the dance floor of the most romantic restaurant in Springfield .

And of course, it didn't help that the woman she was dancing with was his ex-girlfriend too.

He sighed heavily from behind his desk, dropping his head into his hands as one the guys walked past him, only looking up when he felt a sympathetic grip on his shoulder.

"Don't worry about it, Frank.  There's plenty of other fish in the sea."  The detective snickered under his breath.  "'Course, you might wanna stay away from the tuna..."

Frank growled and jerked away, glaring at the other cop who backed away with his hands in the air and a smile on his face.

He shook his head in misery.  What the hell was Natalia thinking?  She was confused, he got that, he really did.  But acting the way she was would only make it that much harder for people to accept it when they got back together.

Not to mention that fact that this behavior... it wasn't her!  Natalia was shy and sweet; wholesome, with a well developed sense of propriety.  The Natalia he knew would never make such a public spectacle of herself.  The Natalia he knew would have been mortified by even the thought of it.

That only left one explanation.

It had to be Olivia.

Anger coursed through him and Frank slammed his hand down on the desk, drawing curious looks from the rest of the cops in the station, all of whom quickly looked away when he raised his eyes to return their stares.

It had to be Olivia; her influence, her lack of morals.  He snorted when he thought about how he had thanked the blonde barracuda for taking care of Natalia after the wedding disaster.

Oh, she had taken care of Natalia all right.  She had taken care of her so well that the poor, confused woman thought she was in love with her!

And who knew how far it had gone by now...

A spike of cold venom shot down his spine, setting his teeth on edge as he thought about the two of them kissing, about them touching...

Well, he wasn't going to let it get any worse. 

Frank straightened his shoulders as he stood up.  Natalia needed to be saved, from herself if necessary.

And he was just the man to do it.

*    *    *    *    *

Doris shuffled through the papers she had spread out in front of her on the table, pushing them aside one by one until she found the proposal she was looking for.  She reached for her coffee cup absently, not realizing until she had brought it to her lips that it was empty.

With a frown, she glanced around Company, finding it empty.  She had come there early, looking for some peace and quiet and seemed to have found more of it than she actually wanted.  Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered nodding at Buzz when the cheery little man had stopped by her table to tell her they were doing inventory in the basement and to just holler if she needed anything.

"Buzz?"  She called loudly.  "Buzz, I could use some more coffee!!"  She waited a few moments but there was no answer.  With a sigh, she slid out of the booth and headed for the counter, stepping around behind it to grab the coffee carafe.

"Are you going to bus the tables too?" A voice asked from behind her.

A small electric shock traveled up Doris ' spine as she turned, blinking in surprise when she found Blake smiling up at her.  "Uh..."  Her fingers tightened convulsively on the handle of the coffee pot.  "Uhm..."

Blake's smile widened.  "Is that a yes?  Because I'm okay with that."  She tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans.  "Just don't expect me to split the tips with you."

Doris looked around the restaurant.  "Tips?"

The redhead came around the counter, giving her a friendly bump with her shoulder.  "Oh, I know it's kind of a quiet morning.  But there's this one big spender over in the corner that I'm counting on to make my morning."

The mayor swallowed.  "Uh..."

Blake laughed.  "Yeah, you said that before.  Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes!"  Her voice came out as a squeak and she coughed slightly.  "Yes.  Sorry, you just... you startled me."

Blake took the coffee pot away from her, waving her back towards her table.  She refilled her cup and the set the pot on the table, sliding into the booth beside her and angling her head to glance at the papers littered across the tabletop.  "So... watcha working on?"

"Uh..."  Doris pressed her lips together, trying to ignore the warm line of hip and leg that was pressed up against her.  "Prop... proposals."  She smiled, blinking rapidly.

"Ooo."  The redhead raised one eyebrow.  "Anything good?"

"Just... a few outlines on increasing revenue streams."  She tapped her finger on a piece of paper.  "Got yours right here.  I was reading over it last night and it look's really promising..."

" Doris ," Blake laid a hand on her arm, noticing that the mayor trembled slightly.  "I didn't come over here to talk to you about my proposal."

"Then why did you?  I mean, not that I mind...  You're certainly welcome to be with me... I mean... to join with me..."  She closed her eyes, shaking her head as she ground her teeth together, saying very slowly, "You're welcome to join me anytime."

The redhead pressed her lips together to suppress a smile.  She had never seen the normally unflappable woman so flustered.  "That's nice to hear."  She squeezed her arm.  "I actually just wanted to say thank you for lunch yesterday.  I had a really good time."

"You did?"

"You sound surprised."

"Well..."  Doris shrugged.  "It's just... we've never really..."  She waved her hand between the two of them.  "Interacted much... on a personal level."   Her eyes widened.  "Not that I'm trying to say that yesterday was personal... that it meant something..."  She rubbed her forehead in frustration.  "...personally..."

Blake couldn't help it.  She laughed.  "You know, for a Mayor you're awfully cute when you blush."

The other woman went completely still.  "You think I'm cute?"

"Uh..."  It was Blake's turn to flush.  "Well... you... " She laughed nervously.  "It's... just a side of you that I didn't know existed."

Doris leaned her head to the side.  "There's a lot about me that you don't know."

The redhead moved a little closer, propping her elbow on the table and dropping her chin into her hand as she stared into deep hazel eyes.  "So... why don't you tell me?"

The mayor leaned back, extending one arm along the top of the booth.  "I don't know."  She smiled.  "There's a lot to tell.  You sure you have that kind of time?"

"For you?"  Blake's gaze never wavered.  "I can make the time."

A soft smile replaced Doris ' usual cynical look, completely transforming her face.  "What do you want to know?"

"Everything."  The redhead grinned.  "But you can start with how you became the champion of lesbian love in Springfield ."

*    *    *    *    *

Davina's Bridal was a small but interesting shop on the very edge of Springfield; the sign outside boldly stating that they had something for everyone.  The main room was filled with every kind of wedding dress imaginable; from the understated simple white sheath to the loud and garish style favored by the 'higher the hair, the closer to god' set.  And the colors... the colors were amazing.  Although, why anyone would want a neon pink wedding dress was beyond her.  She saw Ashlee touch it, a fond smile on her face, and Natalia had to bite her lip to keep from smiling.

She couldn't stop the small, nervous feeling that was running up and down her spine, however.  The shop was quaint and the selection wide, but she wondered if she would actually be able to find a dress that suited her; one that would convey just how much these vows meant... to both of them.  To be honest, Davina's looked to be geared more towards a younger generation.  But Ashlee had gone to a lot of trouble to get them a rushed fitting, so she owed it to the younger woman to at least try to keep an open mind.

After announcing themselves, the two women were greeted by the owner herself and Natalia couldn't keep her eyes from widening slightly as she shook the hand of a woman that looked for all the world like Cruella De Ville come to life.  She was tall, almost six feet, with jet black hair that sported two white streaks; one on each side.  She was dressed head to toe in black and white, her brocade skirt and vest completed by a ruffled white poet's shirt.  The hand she held out in greeting was adorned with multiple silver rings and tipped with long, black, wicked looking nails; making Natalia grip it gingerly.  "I am Miss Davina.  Welcome to my shop."

"He... hello."

Davina smiled at her, the warmth and friendliness in her eyes and voice doing wonders to soothe Natalia's fears.  "Don't worry."  The Amazon patted her hand gently.  "We keep the really crazy stuff in the back."

Realizing she was being teased, Natalia laughed.  "I'm sorry.  I guess this... just wasn't what I was expecting."

"Things seldom are."  Davina eyed her speculatively.  "People either."  She took both of Natalia's hands and held them out, leaning her head to one side and then the other as she looked her over from head to toe.  Releasing the flustered woman, she turned to her assistant, a pretty, but serious looking young woman, mumbling off numbers and sizes too quickly for Natalia to follow.  "Just give us a few minutes to get the room ready."

Natalia nodded, smiling as the women went to help another customer.  When they were gone, she turned to Ashlee.  "Are you... sure about this place?"

The blonde looked at her curiously.  "Of course, why?"

"Well... it's a little... different."

Ashlee shrugged.  "Different is good."

"Well, yeah, sure it is.  I just... I kind of like the idea of a simple dress..."  She touched the shimmering sequins on what looked like the bridal version of a poodle skirt.  "Nothing here looks simple."

"I had a friend that came here."  Ashlee pursed her lips. "She said this place was a little too traditional for her."

"Too traditional?  Was she kidding?"

"I don't think so.  Apparently Miss Davina is a little..."  Ashlee waved her finger around her ear.  "Eccentric.  She prides herself on being able to read a brides 'aura' and picks out all the dresses herself.  My friend thought her choices were a little too staid but Davina wouldn't budge on them.  In the end the one she finally picked was gorgeous."

"Yeah but..."  Natalia frowned, gingerly poking at a black leather veil that looked like it belonged in a completely different kind of shop.  "Gorgeous on what scale?"

The blonde's face fell.  "Do you... do you want to leave?"

"No."  She took a deep breath and smiled.  "We're here... let's see what my 'aura' is telling Miss Davina."

A few moments later, the assistant returned.  "Ms. Rivera?  Ms. Wolfe?  My name is Amy; I'm the personal style attendant here at Davina's.  If you'll come with me, we have a private room ready for you in the back.

They followed the redhead down a long hallway to a door all the way at the end. Amy pushed it open with a smile and waved them inside.

"Oh my..."  Natalia's jaw dropped slightly as she and Ashlee stepped into the large, richly appointed room.  There was a long, white leather couch that curved in a half circle around a gleaming glass table.  Sitting on the table were two long stemmed crystal flutes and a silver ice bucket that held a frost covered bottle of champagne.  The area directly in front of the couch was taken up by a brightly lit, raised marble dais set into an alcove and surrounded by mirrors.  The walls on both sides were studded with ornate pewter hooks holding dresses that ranged from simple to elegant; from cream-colored to pristine white...every single one of them gorgeous in its own way.  "This is incredible."  She breathed as she walked down the right side, her fingers stroking gently over silk and lace, across brocade and buttons, until she came to the last hook.  The dress that hung there was completely hidden from view by a black velvet bag.  She turned to Amy.  "What's... what's with this one?"

The assistant smiled.  "That's the dress that you'll eventually pick."

Natalia's eyebrows rose.  "I beg your pardon?"

"That is the dress that Davina has specifically chosen for you.  She always places her choice in a valet case; otherwise you would never look at any of the others."

The brunette laughed.  "Are you..."  She glanced back at the bag, her lips quirking to the side.  "Are you serious?  That's... that's pretty cocky."

Amy shrugged, her smile knowing.  "I've worked here for five years and she's never once been wrong."

"Well..."  Natalia straightened her shoulders.  "I think I'll still have a look for myself, thank you."

"Of course."  She picked up the bottle of champagne and popped the cork, filling the two glasses and handing one to each of them.  "Compliments of Davina."

Ashlee took it with a smile, tipping it back and draining the contents quickly.  "Mmmm."  She held the glass out again.  "That's fantastic."

Amy refilled it with a smile.  "It's from her private stock."

Natalia took a careful sip, her eyebrows rising slightly.  She didn't have a lot of experience with champagne, but she knew what tasted good.  "Uhm..  Not that I'm not grateful but why?  I mean... why the big room and why the champagne from the private stock?"  She turned back to the dresses, her eyes narrowing when she noticed something missing.  "And why are there no tags on any of these?"

"Because your portfolio, whatever the final amount, has already been taken care of."

"By whom?"

"Oh...uh..."  Amy looked down at her pad.  "The groom?  Oliver?"

Ashlee snorted, sending a spray of champagne all over the startled assistant.  "I'm so sorry!  It was just... it was funny... because he's a she... I mean she's the he...the.. groom!  Oliver is Olivia!"  She pulled her sleeve over her hand and used it to dab at the liquid, starting at the young woman's neck, but rapidly moving downward until she was brushing across her cleavage. 

"You know," The redhead's voice was amused.  "I usually expect a drink or two before a girl tries for second base.  But you're cute, and I have a thing for blondes, so I guess I could make an exception." 

She laughed softly when Ashlee turned bright red and Natalia's eyebrows rose as Amy went from serious to charming in less than a heartbeat.  When she smiled, the young woman's whole face lit up; bringing attention to clear, cornflower blue eyes and a peaches and cream complexion.  There was a light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks, making her all the more endearing.  And while she was a little shorter than Ashlee, she was well proportioned, with all of the curves a woman was supposed to have, regardless of what the fashion magazines might say.

"I'm... I'm... I'm..."  Ashlee swallowed, taking a deep breathe before trying again.  "I'm... I'm..."

"It's okay!"  The soaked woman grabbed her by the wrists to hold her still. "It's fine."  She let her go and picked up one of the linen napkins from the table, using it to wipe up the last of the liquid from her skin before dabbing it against the wet spots on her shirt.

"You... you..."

Amy laughed, reaching out to squeeze the blonde's hand.  "Breathe, hon.  It's just champagne."

"Youhavetoletmepayforthat!"  Ashlee forced out in a rush.  "The... the dry cleaning I mean."

The redhead leaned her head to one side, one eyebrow raised as she looked at Ashlee speculatively.  "I'll tell you what."  She tucked the napkin into a pocket as she refilled the blonde's glass.  "You can do that.... or you can buy me dinner."  The grin returned as she watched Ashlee's mouth open and close without any sound coming out.  "Just... let me know before you leave."  She turned to Natalia.  "I'll be down the hall.  If you need... anything... just use the intercom."  With one last smile in Ashlee's direction she left, closing the door behind her.

"Uh..."  Ashlee looked like she was in shock.

"Are you all right?"

"She.. uhm...."  The blonde swallowed.  "I'm not crazy right?  She was... hitting on me... right?"

Natalia smiled.  "I don't know if that's the term I'd use but she was definitely expressing interest."

She shook her head slightly.  "Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why would she..."  Ashlee swallowed.  "Do I... do I seem like I would be..."

Natalia frowned.  "Single?"

"My mom... my mom is gay."

The brunette sighed.  "Yes, I know."

"And... you... you're gay?"

There were a hundred different things she could have said at that moment.  The same hundred things she had told herself over and over again in the past.  But here, now... in this quirky little shop where she was picking out the dress she would wear to marry the love of her life...Natalia didn't flinch.  "Yes."

"But..."  Ashlee waved her hands at Natalia.  "You're also... like.. all 'Yay God'... and stuff..."

Natalia bit the inside of her cheek.  "I am..."  She nodded, pressing her lips together firmly.  "I am... all... Yay God..."  She blinked.  "And stuff..."

The blonde sighed.  "And it's... okay?  I mean... you're just... okay?"

She smiled a little sadly. "It took a long time to be okay.  I made a lot of mistakes.  We both did.  But in the end, what Olivia and I felt for each other..."  She closed her eyes, swallowing as she tried to keep the emotion from overwhelming her.  "What we feel for each other... that kind of love... It has to be a gift from God."  She blinked away tears as she smiled at Ashlee.  "I just can't believe that anything this wonderful... this beautiful...could be random... or wrong."

Ashlee nodded slowly, a thoughtful look on her face as she glanced in the direction that Amy had gone.  "She was... cute..."  She leaned her head to one side.

"She's beautiful."  The brunette agreed.

"You know I've..."  She shuffled her feet as she looked down at the ground.  "I've never had that competitive... thing... with women.   I always thought it was because... well... you know... because I don't have much to be competitive about."

Natalia stepped closer, taking the younger woman's chin in her hand and raising her head to look into her eyes.  "You are a lovely girl, Ashlee Wolfe.  Inside and out.  And that is a very rare thing."

"Thank you."  Ashlee smiled shyly.  "But I was thinking that maybe... maybe I'm a little bit more like my mom than I realized."

Natalia's eyebrows tried to crawl off her forehead.  "Uh..."

"Is it... do you think it's something in the genes?"

"Actually..."  Natalia squeezed her fingers warmly.  "I think it's something in the heart.  To be able to love... without limits... without constraints..."  She felt tears begin to sting at her eyes and laughed softly.  "People label it, Ashlee.  It's something they need to do to make it fit right in their world.  But what they call it... what they call us... doesn't change what we really are.  We're just people... who fell in love."

Ashlee nodded. 

"And you and I are people..."  She smiled.  "Who are supposed to be planning a wedding!"  She looked around the room with a heavy sigh.  "This is going to take a while."

"We could always just check out the one in the bag."

"Oh no!"  Natalia squared her shoulders as she tossed her purse onto the couch and began to unbutton her sweater.  "I think I know me a little bit better than Ms. Davina.  And besides..."  She grinned.  "You're gonna need all the time you can get to decide what to do about that redhead!"

*    *    *    *    *

"Okay, so wait..."  Blake came back to the table with two fresh cups of coffee.  So far, she had heard all about the wedding, including the graveyard confession before it and everything that had come after.  What she hadn't heard was a single word about how all of it had happened in the first place.  Setting the cups down, she slid back into the booth, tucking her body up close to the Mayor's as she propped her elbow on the table and dropped her head into her hand  "Just how long has all of this been going on?"

Doris shrugged.  "For awhile."

Blake frowned, looking at her sarcastically.  "You can do better than that."

"Okay... a long time."  She sighed.  "It's been coming for a long time."

" How long?"

The Mayor pursed her lips.  "Definitely since Gus died."  She rubbed her thumb idly against the tabletop.  "But if you want my opinion...  something was there even before."

"Before?"  Blake sat back, surprise showing clearly on her face.  "But... I heard about some of what went on between the two of them.  They were horrible to each other.  The fights... the backstabbing... that terrible incident up at the cabin.  Everyone thought they hated each other!"

Doris laughed softly.  "And yet, they still couldn't seem to stay out of each others orbit."  She sipped her coffee, her eyes far away.  "Natalia taking care of Olivia for Gus's sake. Olivia allowing it for Emma's.  Any excuse to be around each other... any reason to argue..."  She set her cup down with a sigh.  "The opposite of love isn't hate.  It's indifference.  And if there is one thing those two never were to each other... it's indifferent."

A small smile curled the edges of Blake's lips.  "Passion."  She whispered.

"It can turn on a dime... and love is incredibly easy to mistake..."  Doris' voice trailed off as she thought about her own relationship with Olivia.  The animosity... the dislike...  Swallowing, she finished quietly.  "...for something else."

There was silence for a few moments.

"Give you a penny."

The Mayor glanced up, her breath catching at the kind look on the other woman's face.  "What?"

"A penny."  Blake smiled and patted her hand, letting her touch linger for a few seconds.  "For that thought.  It looked like a good one."

Doris laughed.  "Oh it was.  That thought right there is definitely worth at least five dollars."

"Whoa... that's steep."

"You gotta deal with inflation."

"As Mayor, shouldn't you be working for a better economy?"

"Hey," Doris spread her arms in supplication.  "I'm a little tied up with the Gay agenda at the moment!"

The redhead laughed.  "And why is that?"

She hung her head slightly.  "I sort of... brought it on myself."

"How?"

"I was... kind of the catalyst that brought Olivia and Natalia together."

Blake's eyebrows rose. " This I have to hear."

"Well... once upon a time there was this little girl... a little girl who wrote a paper about her family for a school project..."

Blake grabbed her arm.  "The My Two Mommies project?"  Her jaw dropped slowly.  "That was Emma??"

Doris nodded.

"And you... " Confusion filled her features.  "You... spoke out against it.  On television, if I recall."

"I did."

"Why?"

"Politics... position..."  The Mayor sighed as she brushed her hair back from her forehead.  "All the wrong reasons."

"Well," Blake picked up her coffee and took a long drink.  "Seems like they forgave you."

"Oh, it's been a long road."  Doris laughed.  "It helped my cause that Olivia needed someone to talk to when Natalia almost kissed her."

The redhead choked slightly. She sat her coffee down and grabbed a napkin to dab at her lips.  "Natalia ? "  She blinked and shook her head.  " Natalia ?  Natalia made the first move?"

"You gotta watch out for those quiet types."  Doris smirked.

"Why?"

"Uh... Because...?"  She looked around in confusion.  "They're sneaky?"

"No!"  Blake rolled her eyes.  "Why did she come to you for advice?"

The Mayor opened her mouth... and then closed it.  Pursing her lips, she looked down at her watch.  "That... is a story for a completely different time and place."

"So..."  Blake shrugged gamely. "Name it."

"Name what?"

"The time and the place."

Doris studied her for a moment.  "Dinner.  Tonight.  Eight o'clock?"

"It's a date."  Blake's smiled faltered slightly.  "I mean... it is... isn't it?"

"A date?"  The mayor felt the faint fluttering of butterfly wings in her stomach.  "Yeah... yeah I think it is."

"Okay."  The redhead nodded shyly before taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders.  "So tell me about this almost kiss... and don't skip any of the good parts!"

*    *    *    *    *

Frank did a double take as he looked in the window of company, his mouth dropping open when he saw Blake Marler sitting with Doris Wolfe. 

Only she was doing more than sitting with Doris Wolfe.

She was practically sitting on Doris Wolfe.

He watched as Blake laughed at something the other woman said; watched the way she leaned into her, his teeth grinding together when she placed a hand on the Mayor's arm and squeezed. 

"What the hell is wrong with all the women in this town?"  He growled under his breath.  Was there something in the coffee?  Some kind of... gay flu going around?  He closed his eyes tightly, remembering how glad he had been when the Mayor had agreed to perform his wedding ceremony. Only all she had done was babble and stall, giving Olivia time to further weaken his fiance with her fake display of tears; pretending all she wanted for Natalia was for her to be happy.

His face turning red with anger, Frank reached for the door, only to pull up short when his cell phone began to ring.  He yanked it from his pocket and flipped it open.  "WHAT??"

"De...detective Cooper?"   A male voice on the other end of the phone stammered.  "This is Patrolman Michaels."

"Why are you calling me?"

"You... you told us all to be on the lookout for that car... the one registered to..." 

He heard the pages of a notebook being flipped. 

"Uh... Natalia Rivera?"

A good cop would have remembered the name.  Of course, a good cop would have also known why he was looking for her car.

"Yeah?"  He rubbed his forehead as he tried to hold on to his anger. 

"Well... I found it.  It's parked outside of a mini-mall over on Devlin Avenue."

"Devlin?  What the hell is she doing over there?  That's all the way across town."

"I don't know, Sir.  But did you want me to pick her up?"

"No!"  Frank felt his jaw pop as he looked in the window and saw Doris lean across Blake's body as she playfully grabbed for a piece of muffin from the redhead's plate.  "No... This is a... delicate situation.  I'll head over there.  You just stay put and if she leaves, you follow her and call me back."

"Yes, Sir...Do you-"

He snapped the phone closed without saying goodbye, his temperature rising as he watched Blake pluck a piece of hair from Doris' cheek, moving it slowly back behind her ear.  He looked from the door to his phone and back again.  With a sigh, he shoved the phone in his pocket and pulled out his car keys.  "Later."  He mumbled to himself as he rushed to his car.  "Definitely later."

*    *    *    *    *

"Okay..."  Natalia collapsed on the couch, picking up her glass of champagne and sipping from it as she sighed tiredly.  "I don't think I ever want to take my clothes off again."

"I don't think Olivia would be happy about that."  Ashlee giggled.  "You'd have to wear a lot of skirts..."

Natalia stared at her with wide eyes before breaking down into giggles herself.  "I think you've had too much champagne, Ashlee."

"No... I haven't... I've only had..."  She picked up the bottle, swirling it around as she tried to peer through the dark green glass.  "...I've only... I've had..."  She blinked and looked at Natalia in confusion.  "What was the question again?"

"Okay!"  Natalia took the bottle away from her.  "You drink anymore and you're going to be no help to me whatsoever."

"Have I been any help to you so far?"

"Well..."  Natalia's lower lip pouted slightly.  "Of course you have."

"Really?"  Ashlee stood up and carefully made her way over to one of the dresses hanging on the wall.  "I liked this one."  She pointed at it, her mouth quirking oddly.  "You said it was too 'poofy'."  She stumbled to another a few feet away.  "Liked this one too."  She took a sleeve in each hand and held them up, looking at the dress wistfully.  "You said it looked like it belonged at a square dance..."

"I never said that!"

"Ahh, right."  Ashlee waggled a finger at her.  "Your actual words were 'I don't think I could pile my hair high enough to do it justice."

Natalia flushed bright red.

The blonde moved two dresses down.  "And this one..."  Her forehead furrowed in confusion.  "What was wrong with this one again?"

"The... The front..." She pointed half-heartedly.  "You'd... be able to see my belly button."

"Right!"  Ashlee shrugged.  "Still don't think Olivia would have objected."  She held up her hand to stop Natalia's protest.  "You've basically vetoed every single dress I've suggested and picked..."  She waved her hand at the three gowns hung from the mirrors surrounding the dais.  Her nose wrinkled.  "Picked three of the most boring I have ever seen."

Natalia's eyebrows rose.  Okay, so Ashlee was an honest drunk.  "What's wrong with the three I picked?"

The blonde looked at her like she was crazy.  "Well, first of all, none of them are white!  Wedding dresses are traditionally white!"

"Yeah, well..."  Natalia sighed as she blew her hair off her forehead.  "I was thinking... seeing as how this is my third trip down the aisle... that maybe white wasn't the best idea."

"What?"  Ashlee came over to the couch, flopping down on her hands and knees to stare into the brunette's eyes.  "Why?"

"Because white... white is for... new brides."

"New brides."  She repeated before shaking her head.  "Tell me something... is Olivia different?"

"Different than what?"

"Than the other two."  Ashlee rolled her eyes, trying not to smile.  "Different than Gus... or Frank?"

Natalia didn't hesitate.  "Yes... of course she is."

"How?"

The brunette opened her mouth to answer and then stopped, her eyes narrowing as she really thought about her response.  "When..."  She took a deep breath.  "When I married Gus... it was all about what I thought I wanted.  What I thought was right.  I wanted to give Rafe the father he never had... the life he deserved."

"Did you love him?"  Ashlee asked softly.

"Yes."

"Like you love Olivia?"

Natalia hesitated, a gentle sigh escaping before she actually answered.  "No."

"And Frank...?"

"No."  She shook her head.  "I wanted to... I wanted to love him.  And I did... but... not the right way."

"So..."  Ashlee lowered herself onto the couch when her arms started to shake with fatigue.  She laid herself out flat, her voice slightly muffled by the cushion pressed up against her face.  "The first two were for all the wrong reasons."  She angled her head back to look at the brunette.  "Why are you marrying Olivia?"

Natalia couldn't have stopped the smile that lit up her face even if she had wanted to.

"MMhmmm..."  The blonde laughed.  She waved her hand at Natalia as she laid her head back down. "Verbal... more verbal... you're hurting my neck..."

"I..."  The brunette felt her cheeks begin to burn and ache from the width of her grin.  "She makes me happy.  And I love her."

"Okay," Ashlee made a noise that sounded like it came from something halfway between a horse and a goat.  "So for the first time... You're getting married for no other reason but that you love her and she makes you happy."  She picked up her head and threw Natalia a goofy smile.  "I think that makes you new." She sighed happily and squirmed around on the couch.  "It's just so sweet!  I think it would be criminal if you didn't wear white.  I mean... go for everything... all the tradition you can.  Really cram it in this time.  Because it's your last.  You say what I'm seeing?"

"It is my last," She agreed softly.

"Exactly!  So I say... get the five-tiered cake and throw the bouquet!  Let Olivia pull off your garters and toss them to the ushers, because trust me... every one of those guys is going to be fantasizing about just how wild that honeymoon will be... you know... since you waited and all..."

It was Natalia's turn to choke on her champagne. "Waited?"  She said weakly.

Ashlee sat up quickly, looking at her with slightly unfocused eyes.  "Oh you have to wait, Natalia!"  She gestured wildly. "I mean... this is it .  The real deal.  The honeymoon you've waited for...well... forever..."  The momentum of her hands caused her to lose her balance and Natalia had to grab her by the shoulder to keep her from tumbling off the couch.  "It would be soooo romantic."  She swooned a little and the brunette got ready to catch her again but Ashlee remained upright, a slightly sarcastic look taking over her features.  "I mean really, Natalia... it's only four days!"

"It isn't the days that would be the problem."  Natalia mumbled.  But honestly, Ashlee had a point.  If she wanted to do this right...

Shaking her head she turned back to the young woman.  "I think right now we need to focus on the dress.  Since you have so eloquently persuaded me to go with white, it looks like we're going to have to start all over again."

Ashlee groaned loudly and climbed to her feet.  "Wait!"  She held her hands out in front of her.  "We still have one left."  She pointed to the black bag still hanging on a hook in the corner. 

"Ashlee..."

"Come on, Nat!"  The blonde threw her arm around the smaller woman's shoulder.  "One little peek wouldn't hurt... right?"

Natalia sighed.  "Alright!"  She threw her hands up in the air before turning to walk over to the valet case.  "But don't get your hopes up.  I doubt Ms. Davina and I share very similar taste in clothing."  With a long sigh, she reached out and unzipped the bag, using both of her hands to slide the case open.

For a moment, she was completely silent. 

Then she whispered. "Oh my god." 

"What?"  Ashlee rushed up to look over her shoulder, her mouth dropping open as she got her first look at what the bag had been hiding.  "Jesus..."  She said breathlessly.  "We just wasted a lot of time didn't we?"

"Oh yeah."  Natalia laughed, stretching out her fingers to run them down smooth white, silk and lace covered buttons.  "A whole lot of it."  Smiling happily, she pulled the dress all the way out from the bag and held it up to her body, astonished to find it exactly the right size and almost the right length.  A quick fitting and a few minutes with a needle and she would have the dress she had always dreamed of.  Her cheeks rosy, she turned to look at herself in the mirror, her eyes glazing over slightly as she imagined Olivia's face as she walked towards her down the aisle...

"I told you to check that one first!"

"You know. I think you have better things to be doing than saying I told you so."

Ashlee threw her a snarky grin.  "Like what?"

"Well... since it seems that I've chosen my dress, you should probably be thinking about what you're going to say to Amy on the way out."

Not even her very proper upbringing could stop her from laughing when Ashlee's smile quickly faded.

to be continued...