Seasons of Love- Otalia (Guiding Light) Ship Manifesto part 1/2

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Title: Seasons of Love-An Otalia Ship Manifesto
Author: cabenson
Feedback: email= cabensonsvu@yahoo.com, or comment here
Fandom: Guiding Light
Pairing: Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera
Rating: PG
Words: 13,000 give or take a few. Grab a nice glass of red or what-have-you and settle in.
Spoilers: all epsiodes, and especially from 2007-series finale

Author's Notes #1: First a heartfelt thank you to my better half, stargazer1960 for putting up with my "research" for the past several months. If she didn't encourage me to "do my thing" I would never write at all. And a very special thank you to my beta, theholyinnocent for refusing to allow me to be a lazy writer and helping me to make this the best manifesto I have ever done. I swear, it is the last! Also, special thanks to grumpybear1031 for the wonderful header!

And some more thanks to grumpybear1031, tallulah71, xamanthe, and ausxip.com for their help with getting screen caps for this essay. You are all fabulous!!

Author's Notes #2: These are my thoughts on the Otalia storyline and are not meant as any official representation of any fandom. While I, like many, was very disappointed in the way the pairing, and the series ended, I absolutely adored the story of these two women falling in love. As much as I wanted to put in every single detail, it was simply impossible, so I attempted to highlight on those parts of the arcs that I felt were most important to the overall storyline. If you were looking for detailed info on Rafe or Goodman Frank, this is not the place. But you knew that already...






Seasons of Love
The Story of Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera



I have a confession to make: I haven't watched daytime soap operas in years. Not that I have anything against them—I just felt that I had outgrown them and besides, today's soap operas really aren't representative of my life, nor of my family’s and friends’ lives. I mean seriously, how many members of your family have come back from the dead after five years or better yet, been possessed by the devil? So, when several friends suggested I watch the growing Olivia Spencer/Natalia Rivera (Otalia) relationship on Guiding Light, I politely told them no. Even the tease of a kiss posted all over YouTube couldn't convince me to give the show a try.

Then I got a virus. In my computer. And while standing in line at Best Buy on a cold February afternoon to get a new PC, I happened to glance at the television section. Displayed on over 50 screens of various shapes and sizes was an actress that I recognized immediately from my days watching Days of Our Lives: Crystal Chappell. Interested in seeing what she was up to, and trying to keep myself amused in a never ending queue, I strained to read the closed captioning: Something about feelings for another woman and some cute, dimpled guy stroking his tie and saying to Chappell, "So, you and Natalia?" By the time I got my computer the episode was over and I was hooked. I spent the better part of two weeks catching up on a year's worth of back-story and found myself completely invested in one of the best love stories I have ever seen on television.

HISTORY

Guiding Light (GL), originally created as a radio show (The Guiding Light) in 1937 by Irna Phillips, began airing on CBS in 1952. For over seven decades, GL and the residents of Five Points, Selby Flats, and eventually Springfield both educated viewers with socially relevant stories such as substance abuse, cancer, and marital rape, and alternately entertained them with fantasy-filled plots and outlandish storylines involving cloning and time travel.

In late 2008, facing imminent cancellation, GL struck gold when they began in earnest to explore the story of two single mothers, Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera (Otalia), and how their relationship progressed from enemies, to friends, to eventually falling in love with each other. The chemistry between the actresses (Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia) was evident from their first moments together onscreen and it just kept growing as the storyline played out. I have no doubt that had the pairing been allowed to display any actual scripted physical affection, televisions, DVRs and computers across the world would have inevitably blown up from the hotness.

The fandom exploded in early 2009 and the pairing was discussed and analyzed on many websites including Big Purple Dreams, Television Without Pity, and Livejournal, as well as several mainstream news outlets (Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide). Unfortunately, not even the Otalia storyline was enough to improve the ratings and on April 1, 2009, Guiding Light was cancelled. The final show aired on Friday, September 18, 2009.



Love at all Costs: Olivia Spencer

Olivia Spencer was introduced to the GL canvas in 1999. A determined businesswoman and owner of Springfield’s Beacon Hotel, who reveled in the seductive power she held over men, Olivia took the town by storm. Passionate, irreverent, and often self destructive, Olivia was not afraid to go after what she wanted, regardless of the cost -to herself or others. Vindictive and reactionary, she considers herself "toxic" and when she is hurting, it is guaranteed that everyone around her will be hurting as well. As badass as Olivia can appear, however, she has a certain vulnerability that only those closest to her ever see.

Over the years Olivia married several of the most powerful men in Springfield, but never found the mutually loving relationship that she felt she deserved. While recovering from heart transplant surgery, Olivia claimed that she has learned from her mistakes and, “if I'm ever lucky enough to fall in love again, I am going to do the opposite of everything I've ever done in my past.” (06/18/08)

While not too many Springfield residents would have a kind word to say about her, most would agree that she is a wonderful mother to her daughters, Ava and Emma. All she has ever wanted was to give her children and herself a sense of family and a loving home. Her youngest daughter Emma, fathered by Phillip Spaulding, is the most important person in Olivia's life. It was her fear of Phillip that first pulled her into Natalia's orbit when she made a deal with Alan Spaulding, Phillip’s father: She would become a wedge in Natalia's relationship with Alan's son Gus (Alan wanted Natalia for himself) if Alan protected her and Emma from Phillip.



A Higher Love: Natalia Rivera

Natalia was introduced in 2007 as the childhood sweetheart of Gus Aitoro (known to Natalia as Nicky Augustino). Daisy, Gus’s stepdaughter, brought Natalia to Springfield in an attempt to break up her mother Harley’s marriage to Gus. When she came to Springfield, Natalia did so with a big secret: as a teenager, she had given birth to Gus's son, Rafe. Daisy’s plan failed, but Gus and Harley did eventually end their marriage. Deciding that Rafe needed a stable home life, Gus proposed to Natalia.

Natalia is a hardworking single mother, devoted to her son Rafe. Like Olivia, Natalia simply wants a loving family environment in which to raise their children and her early attachment to Emma helps her achieve this. She is a proud woman, generous to a fault, and is the first to see the good in other people. Natalia is also feisty and doesn't give in when fighting for something, or someone, she believes in. Once a victim of Olivia's manipulations, she is also one of the few people to stand up to Olivia Spencer and walk away unharmed. Not completely flawless, Natalia often acts impulsively and unintentionally hurts those she loves, including Olivia.

Her Catholic faith has been a source of both constant comfort and ceaseless torment in her efforts to live her life according to God’s plan. She works primarily as a maid at The Beacon, but takes additional waitressing and bartending jobs as financial need dictates before finally accepting the position as Olivia's assistant. With as much faith as she puts in others, Natalia is unsure of herself and her own abilities and is often willing to settle for less than she deserves in both her professional and personal relationships.


Love Glue: Other characters of importance

Gus Aitoro: Gus is the biological son of Alan Spaulding. As a teen-ager Gus left Chicago not knowing that his 16-year-old girlfriend, Natalia, was pregnant with his child.

Frank Cooper: A good man, Frank fell in love with Natalia after Gus died.

Ava Peralta: Ava is the child Olivia gave birth to at 16 after being date-raped by Jeffrey O'Neill.

Rafe Rivera: Natalia's teenaged son with the late Gus Aitoro.

Alan Spaulding: A man of power and wealth, Alan manipulates people with ease. He has failed with his own children and now looks to his grandchildren as the future of Spaulding Enterprises.

Phillip Spaulding: One of Olivia's ex-husbands, who is Emma's father and Alan’s son.

Emma Spencer: Olivia's young daughter with Phillip Spaulding.

Doris Wolfe: the Mayor of Springfield who is hiding a big secret.


Autumn 2007: Fighting for Love

When they first cross paths, Olivia and Natalia are both fighting for love. Natalia is fighting for the love she has been waiting for since she was a teenager; Olivia fighting for the love she believes will save her.



After many years, Natalia is reunited with Gus, her high-school sweetheart and the father of her troubled teenaged son, Rafe. Caught up in her idealized view of romance, Natalia has never allowed herself to become involved with another man. She feels that Gus is the only one for her and he will give her and Rafe the sense of family that they both not only desire, but need.



Olivia Spencer needs protection. Tormented by her mentally ill ex-husband Phillip Spaulding, and fearful that he may return to Springfield and, once again, take her beloved daughter Emma away from her, Olivia has no choice but to make a deal with the devil: Alan Spaulding (10/29/07). Taken with his son Gus’s beautiful girlfriend, Natalia, Alan offers to protect Olivia from his son if she "creates a wedge" between Gus and Natalia. Olivia reluctantly agrees, but after becoming friends with Gus she tries at one point to renege on the deal. When Alan makes it look as though Phillip had returned, a frightened Olivia has no choice but to uphold her end of the deal (11/09/07).

Everything changes when Olivia is diagnosed with a terminal heart condition. Not wanting to die alone, Olivia told only Gus about her illness and quickly found herself falling in love with her good friend. The only problem was that Gus's fiancée, Natalia, didn't trust Olivia:

Natalia: I'm suspicious of you.

Olivia: You barely know me.

Natalia: I've heard about you.

Olivia: That I'm a man eater? A husband stealer?

Natalia: Are you?

Olivia: Yeah. So if I wanted Gus, he'd be mine by now. (12/07/07)



While Gus works to get Olivia to the top of the transplant list, Olivia does everything she can to ruin Gus's relationship with Natalia, including canceling their dinner reservations at Towers, the ritziest restaurant in Springfield. Ava, finally learning of her mother's illness, realizes that Olivia's feelings for Gus are genuine (12/18/07). Olivia vows to fight for Gus's love because she feels that the hope he provides is the only thing that will save her. Natalia, unaware of Olivia's illness, has no intention of letting anyone ruin the family she has longed for all these years, especially Olivia Spencer.


Winter 2007/2008: Dying for Love



Despite her weakened state, Olivia continues to come between Natalia and Gus and even goes so far as to interfere with their wedding plans (1/15/08). Suspicious of all the time Gus was spending with Olivia, Natalia finally confronts them both and accuses Gus of “one last bachelor fling with the town whore.” She is stunned to learn that Gus has been spending time with Olivia because she is dying (1/17/08). After promising to be there for Olivia, Natalia apologizes and gives her rival a hug.



Natalia tries to connect with Olivia and even thinks that they could be friends. She tells Olivia that she will help Gus care for Emma and even when the truth about Olivia’s deal with Alan comes out, Natalia continues to be there for both of the Spencer women, making special efforts to spend time with Emma. Regardless of Natalia’s desire to be friends, Olivia still wants Gus and makes that known. On her wedding day—and wanting the ceremony to go off without a Spencer-style hitch—Natalia locks Olivia in a bathroom and inadvertently causes her to miss out on a transplant opportunity. Natalia tries to apologize, but her pleas fall on deaf ears:



Natalia: Olivia, I am so sorry.

Olivia: Congratulations. You got the ring, the dress, the guy. It only cost me my life. I hope it was worth it. (02/11/08)

Olivia is placed back on the transplant list and tries to come to terms with not being there for Emma. She is growing weaker but is still able to take advantage of a remorseful Natalia:

Olivia: Everyone dies. You just bought me a seat on the express train.

Natalia: I'm a mother, too. I would never try to jeopardize your life and take you away from your children. I am so very sorry.

Olivia: I think you mean that.

Natalia: Short of giving you my own heart, I will do whatever I can for you.

Olivia: Okay. Give me your husband. Till death do us part. It shouldn't be very long, thanks to you. (02/15/08)



Still reeling with guilt, Natalia decides to sacrifice her own happiness and "leaves" Gus so he can be with Olivia during her final days:

Natalia: I love being your wife. And if we're supposed to be together forever, then we will be. But Olivia doesn't have that kind of time. I can't be happy—and we can't be happy—if we know that her last days are misery. She needs someone that can take her hand and tell her she's beautiful, and hold her when she's scared. (02/19/08)

Natalia's empathy for Olivia's situation is not completely rooted in guilt over the missed transplant. She truly feels for the woman and her children during this time, and although she doesn't like having to share her husband, she does understand why Olivia needs him.


Spring 2008: Grieving for Love



Spring 2008 is a time for new life: Olivia finally receives her new lease on life, but at a horrible cost to her, Natalia, and Rafe. When Gus is mortally injured in an accident while looking for Olivia, Natalia must make the agonizing decision to give Gus's heart to her rival. Refusing to allow this woman to have one last piece of her husband, Natalia is swayed when an innocent Emma, seeing that Natalia is sad, offers her a simple daisy.



After seeing her son lose the father he just found, Natalia cannot watch Emma lose her mother and allows the transplant. Reeling with the loss of Gus, she remains at the hospital while Olivia is in surgery, even though she admits, "I can't even figure out why I'm here." (04/02/08). She weeps when she hears Olivia has survived the surgery—tears of relief for Olivia and her family, tears of grief for Rafe and herself.



Olivia wakes up and her brief moment of happiness is destroyed when she learns that she has Gus's heart. She becomes despondent and refuses to eat or accept treatment. Natalia visits her and even though they argue, she can't stay away:

Natalia: His heart. It's all that's left of him. It's all I have.

Olivia: Go away. I'm tired. I'm tired. I don't want you here. I don't want this. Go!

Natalia: I can’t. (04/07/08)

Both women handle their grief in different ways. Olivia, burdened with survivor's guilt and thinking herself unworthy of Gus's heart, refuses to do what is needed in order to recover from the surgery. She continues to seek a lasting connection with Gus going so far as to buy the house Gus bought for his family out from under Natalia and demanding Natalia’s wedding rings.



Natalia uses her pain from losing Gus and her anger towards Olivia to fuel her mission to see that Olivia doesn't squander the precious gift Gus gave her:

Olivia: I have a plan and I'm sticking to it. I want to die.

Natalia: Well, not on my shift. (04/17/08)



Through their mutual grief, an uneasy friendship forms between the two women and it grows stronger as Olivia heals. When Natalia learns that Olivia has been hospitalized, she visits and we see the potential closeness between the two as Olivia promises Natalia that she is taking care of Gus's heart (05/06/08).

After initially trying to give Natalia the house back, Olivia offers to sell it for the money that Rafe found in Gus’s old jacket and they bond over missing Gus. But when an investigation into Gus's old cases implies that he was a corrupt cop, an impulsive Rafe takes matters in his own hands and accidentally shoots the D.A, Jeffrey O’Neill, who is the father of Olivia’s daughter, Ava. After her son flees the country, Natalia begs Olivia to return the cash she used to buy the house so that she can follow him, but Olivia refuses. She later relents and gives Natalia the money:



Olivia: I can keep a secret. And I want to help you. I want to help you be with your son.

Natalia: Thank you so much. And I will pay you back.

Olivia: You don't need to pay me back. I just want to help Rafe, and I want to help you. (05/28/08)

Even after learning that Natalia's son has shot her daughter’s father, Olivia is unable to keep herself from helping them both. We see the wall that Olivia has built around her heart beginning to crack as she makes the first of several selfless overtures toward Natalia.


Summer 2008: Connected by Love

During the summer of 2008 Olivia and Natalia bond over their own missing children. While Ava was at a clinic being treated for postpartum depression, her premature infant son, Max, died and Olivia now grieves for both daughter and grandson. Rafe is still on the run in Europe with Harley, his former stepmother, and Natalia hasn't heard from him. Natalia recognizes that Olivia isn't feeling well, both physically and emotionally, and offers to help. But for every step forward in developing their friendship, they take two steps backward.



Things take a turn for the worse when they begin to argue over Alan’s “visions” of Gus. Natalia believes that Gus is guiding them all through these visions and Olivia thinks she is incredibly naive, especially when Natalia, at Alan’s urging, thinks about contacting Rafe.



Olivia eventually finds herself having faith in Alan’s visions, or rather, faith in Gus guiding her through Alan, and refuses to go to her medical appointments even though she has started feeling ill again. When Rick Bauer, Olivia’s doctor, reveals that Alan’s visions are due to a blood clot, Natalia convinces Olivia to get herself checked out, but Olivia is afraid of what her test might reveal so she goes to Gus's house where she runs into Natalia:



Olivia: Gus's heart is strong. It's me. I'm the one who messed up. Believing that Alan could channel Gus, you know, that he could tell me how I'm supposed to live my life. It's stupid.

Natalia: Then what are you doing here? I know why you're here. You want to feel close to Gus. That's why I'm here.

Olivia: Don't let it get around, but I don't want to die.(08/22/08)

When Rafe is arrested, Olivia once again neglects her own health needs and pulls out the stops top get him a good lawyer and PR person. Natalia is appreciative, but wants Olivia to just take care of herself. She can't worry about both her son and her friend at the same time. Nonetheless Olivia does everything she can to help Natalia and Rafe, including smoothing things over between the two when Rafe blames his mother for his arrest. But Olivia’s hiring of the expensive lawyer makes Natalia uncomfortable:

Olivia: Don't think about it, okay?

Natalia: $25,000, don't even think about it?

Olivia: A lawyer like that won't take a case without a retainer. Would you rather he not take the case?

Natalia: I had no idea that I owe you that much money now.

Olivia: I never said you had to pay me back. Consider it a gift, an investment in Rafe’s future. (09/16/08)



Once again, Olivia acts selflessly to make Natalia's life a little easier. She doesn't have to help; after all, Rafe can't stand her and still blames her for Gus's death. Yet she does and we see again, a different side of Olivia Spencer emerging as she thinks about someone else's happiness before her own.


Autumn 2008: A Need for Love

"I need you" is a signature phrase for the Otalia relationship, as well as an underlying theme for the remainder of their storyline. Olivia needs Natalia's help both professionally and personally, and Natalia needs something or someone to devote herself to while Rafe is away. Becoming more and more dependent upon Natalia, Olivia starts seeing more than friendship in their relationship. Natalia, dealing with Rafe's imprisonment, finds herself growing closer to Olivia and Emma.

Unable to pay Rafe's legal fees and unwilling to accept further help from Olivia, Natalia considers paying off her debt by sleeping with the attorney, Vince Russo. Olivia, thinking she is keeping her friend from making a huge mistake, keeps her from doing this and once again they argue:



Olivia: I just saved your butt in there. He was all over you!

Natalia: But he's the best lawyer in town, and now he won't help. It's nothing you wouldn't do, Olivia, for Ava or Emma.

Olivia: But that's different. That's me. This is you….Button your shirt! (09/26/08)

Realizing that she can't help Natalia anymore—that Natalia doesn't want her help—Olivia decides to focus on Emma, running The Beacon, and her new PR job with Galaxy Hotels, a renowned chain of luxury hotels based in Asia. That doesn't stop her from feeling badly for Natalia when they run into each other after Rafe is sentenced to state prison.



Regardless of whether Natalia needs her or not, Olivia cannot deny that with her declining health, she needs Natalia, especially after Natalia saves her by pretending to be her assistant when Olivia becomes ill during a photo shoot.



Olivia is impressed with the way Natalia thinks on her feet and offers her a job as her assistant, but Natalia hedges and Olivia storms off. Olivia knows that Natalia is capable of so much more, and that Natalia must be pushed in order to gain the confidence that she needs.



After yet another incident of helping Olivia deal with Lawrence Decker, her boss with Galaxy Hotels, Natalia insists on taking Olivia to the hospital where they get some disheartening news—Olivia may be experiencing a round of organ rejection. When Natalia raises her hand to her chest as Olivia takes in this news is very indicative of how Natalia's feelings for Olivia are evolving.

They run into each other later at Company—a local restaurant run by the Cooper family—where, unbeknownst to Olivia, Natalia has ordered all of her favorite foods. Natalia is deeply saddened over her friend’s prognosis, but Olivia thinks that Natalia is only concerned with losing Gus's heart again, Natalia angrily storms out, and once more the women are at odds. But even after Olivia rages at her, and Natalia questions how anyone could ever care about Olivia, Natalia continues to be there for the Spencers by picking up a forgotten Emma and taking her to Company for ice cream. A frazzled Olivia arrives and watches Natalia with her daughter. You can see the mixture of relief, appreciation, and surprise as she slowly realizes that Natalia does care about her and Emma.

Olivia gets proof of this when, after trying once again to get Natalia to take the assistant's position at the hotel, she suffers cardiac arrest. Natalia holds her hand and caresses her hair as Remy attempts CPR:



Natalia: Olivia! Olivia! You better not give up, okay? On Ava or Emma or me! (10/22/08)

Natalia stands over Olivia's hospital bed and prays for her. When she finally comes to, Olivia looks at Natalia as though she is seeing her for the very first time and talks about how Natalia was there for her:



Olivia: I can't get rid of you, can I?

Natalia: No. (10/22/08)

For me, this entire scene is the turning point in their relationship. They continue to stare at each other, even after Dr. Rick enters the room, and when Natalia turns away, Olivia's gaze lingers ever so slightly. When Olivia is told that she needs a pacemaker, the concern on Natalia's face once again gives away her growing feelings for Olivia. And the tears of relief in Olivia’s eyes as Natalia accepts the job shows that whether it is as a friend or an employee, Olivia simply wants Natalia in her life. There can be no doubt at this point that she feels more than a simple friendship for Natalia even if she can't name her feelings yet.

As we watch the professional relationship between Olivia and Natalia grow, we also see their personal relationship deepen. They think nothing of calling each other on their shit regarding hiding things from their children: Olivia is hiding her relapse from Emma and Natalia is hiding how much Rafe being in prison is affecting her. (11/03/08).



Olivia takes it upon herself to get the Governor to move Rafe to a safer prison. The problem is that it will cost Natalia her house. Natalia reluctantly agrees to the deal and both women want to know how they are supposed to say goodbye to Gus. Natalia reaches for Olivia's hand and they walk out together, closing this particular chapter in their lives (11/10/08).



Lawrence Decker springs a surprise visit with the head of Galaxy Hotels on Olivia, so she decides to host a “home-cooked” dinner, courtesy of Natalia, at the vacant Farmhouse of her former business partner, Cassie Lewis. Surprised when their guests show up a day early (thanks to a well-intentioned Buzz Cooper), Natalia proves her professional worth, when she pulls off a wonderful dinner with no preparation. Meanwhile, Olivia, hiding her illness from Decker, enjoys watching Natalia shine in the homey environment. When Decker proposes a toast to "this truly amazing woman" (meant for Olivia) Olivia, eyes locked on Natalia, can't help but quietly toast to her friend.

Olivia encourages Natalia to use the money she got from selling Gus's house to buy the Farmhouse and becomes upset when Natalia refuses to take her financial advice. Natalia takes the opportunity to remind them both of exactly what their relationship is:

Natalia: You're my boss. And you're my friend, right? So, yes, if you have an opinion about something, absolutely, you let me know. But you can't make decisions like this for me. You're not the boss of my life. (11/20/08)

This statement comes back to bite Natalia in the ass when she naively invests all of money in a high-risk hedge fund run by Decker. If the fund does well, she will have enough money to buy the Farmhouse. On Thanksgiving morning Olivia breaks the news to her friend that the money is gone and a distraught Natalia goes to see Rafe and tells him what she has done. When she leaves, she finds Olivia waiting there for her, offering a comforting hug.



After Frank, who has started falling in love with Natalia, reams her out for "allowing" Natalia to lose her money, Olivia goes to Decker and pleads for him to return Natalia's money. She makes it to the bench outside his office when she collapses and calls Natalia for help. Decker sees Olivia leaning on Natalia and visits her in the hospital where he offers her a deal: He will give Natalia her money back if she gives up her position with Galaxy Hotels and publicly apologizes for deceiving them about her health. She agrees and when he appears to renege, Olivia threatens to sue for discrimination.



Olivia is beaming when she hands Natalia a check for $80,000, and while Natalia is grateful, she puts two and two together and realizes that Olivia sacrificed her Galaxy job to help her:

Natalia: No, no. So you cut a deal? You will just walk away and there is no negative publicity for him, as long as you...

Olivia: All right. All right. Yeah, that's it.

Natalia: And you didn't fight to keep it?

Olivia: I could have. I would have walked, so I got what I could out of it.

Natalia: You didn't get anything!

Olivia: Of course I did. (12/15/09)



That final line, "Of course I did" marks another shift in the storyline. Not only is Olivia able to take away Natalia's pain, she learns how good it feels to put someone else's needs ahead of her own without expecting anything in return. Making Natalia happy makes Olivia happy.



And when she once again summons Natalia to her room, Olivia is surprised to hear Natalia's plans to buy the Farmhouse and have the Spencers move in with her. The smile on Natalia's face, as well as the cheeky cock of her head is so endearing and at this point, Olivia is so smitten she can't refuse Natalia anything.



Moving in together, however, proves more difficult than either woman imagined when they realize just how little they have in common. After one too many arguments, Olivia decides it would be best for her and Emma to return to The Beacon after the holidays. Emma is distraught over this news and runs away. Both women try to comfort her, but Emma is determined that the three of them are a family and the Farmhouse is home.



An exchange of gifts between Natalia and Olivia cements this fact. Olivia arranges to have a section of the doorframe with Rafe's childhood measurements shipped from Natalia's old apartment in Chicago—a sentimental piece that helps Natalia deal with Rafe being imprisoned over the holidays. In return, Natalia offers Olivia keys to the Farmhouse, but in effect is actually offering Olivia what she has always wanted: a home and a loving family. Regardless of how they define their feelings, both gifts are symbols of the deepening affection each woman has for the other.

Seasons of Love, part 2