Stories by Kiera Dellacroix

by Dellacroix, Kiera

  "I don't know that I want to," Piper whispered.

  "You have to."

  "Why?"

  "Because that's what she would've wanted, you know that," Nancy said. "She loved you very much."

  "I know."

  "Is that hers?" Nancy asked, nodding at the sword.

  "Yeah," Piper said with the ghost of a smile. "You know I caught her working out with it once. She was amazing. So fast and so strong, she was unbeatable."

  "I imagine she was."

  "Why did I go home that day?" Piper asked. "Why?"

  "Only God can answer that, Pippy," Nancy said. "It wasn't your fault."

  "Yes, it was," Piper said. "Because of me, she died on some operating table, alone with no one to watch over her and no one except a bunch of strangers to look after her when she was gone."

  "Piper," Nancy said. "She died knowing that she saved you and knowing that her family was going to be taken care of. How would she feel if she could see you now?"

  Piper lifted her eyes to Nancy's.

  "Be strong for her, Pippy," she said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "Now get dressed, your Mom is almost done with dinner."

  ----------

  Josh walked up the worn dirt road an hour before sunset enjoying the cold brisk weather. He rubbed his hands together happily as he approached the plantation home and climbed up the steps to knock firmly on the door, waiting patiently until a large man with graying red hair opened the door.

  "Can I help you?" Jack asked

  "Happy New Year. Is Piper here?" he asked."I'm Josh Anderson, a friend of hers from Atlanta."

  The man stared at him for a moment, evaluating him with intelligent eyes. "We're eating dinner, would you like to come in?"

  "Yes, please. I'm sorry to disturb you."

  "Not at all. Come in," Jack said, stepping back and closing the door after him. "I hope you're not here to give her anymore bad news. She's had enough."

  "Just here to say hello."

  "Good to hear. Follow me," Jack said and led him into the dining room where he was surprised to find a room full of people.

  "Josh," Piper said looking up in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

  "I wanted to see you."

  Piper got up from the table and gave him a hug. "I'm glad you came, have a seat," she said, leading him to a chair next to hers. "This is my friend, Josh Anderson," she said to everyone as she sat back down in her chair. "I'll let everyone introduce themselves," she added, waiting until the formalities had passed to speak.

  "How did you know where to find me?"

  "It wasn't that hard," Josh said as Liz gave him a plate.

  "Thank you, ma'am," he said. "But you'll need to set out another, I have a friend a coming if you don't mind?"

  "Who?" Piper asked.

  Josh looked at his watch. "She should be here any minute." A grin twitching slyly at the corners of his mouth as he dug his cell phone from a pocket and dialed a number.

  "Yeah, she's here," he said into the phone, turning a winning smile on Piper.

  Piper paled and closed her eyes as words once spoken abruptly dominated her mind with a startling loudness, their meaning becoming suddenly clear. "I play to win and if it looks like I've lost, its only because its not over yet."

  "Oh God," she cried, bolting from her seat and taking most of the tablecloth with her, scattering plates and spilling drinks as she knocked over her chair and ran from the room.

  "You've got to be fucking kidding, Josh," Martin said, rising from his chair. "If you are, it's nowhere near funny."

  "See for yourself," Josh said with a chuckle.

  Martin smiled and ran after her, as did everyone else in the room. They emerged as a crowd on to the front porch, finding Piper jumping up and down with her hands over her mouth, staring with wide and tearfully overflowing eyes at the GTO coming up the drive. The car stopped and Bailey got out slowly, closing the door behind her and shooting a relieved smile in her direction.

  Piper screamed joyously and flew down the steps at breakneck speed, hitting the bottom and racing the remaining distance to throw herself into Bailey's arms so hard it took both of them to the ground.

  "No way," Martin said.

  "Thank the Lord." Doreen said as Liz ran into her husband's arms crying happily.

  "Who is that?" Fiona asked.

  "It's my sister," Ryan said with a huge grin.

  Piper straddled her on the cold ground, covering her face and lips with kisses, only distantly aware that she was crying.

  "I love you so much," she cried. "Don't you ever leave me again."

  "I love you, too."

  "Say that again," Piper said, burying her face in Bailey's hair.

  "I love you, Piper," Bailey whispered, bringing a hand up to stroke the head buried in her shoulder. "Help me up, love."

  Piper raised her head and looked deeply into the black eyes inches from her own. "Are you hurt?"

  "Still recovering I'm afraid."

  She blinked back her tears and helped her shakily to her feet, noticing for the first time the cane she had been using to stand on, she knelt to pick it up for her.

  "Better?" Piper asked as Bailey took the cane in her right hand and leaned on it.

  "Yes," Bailey said with a lopsided smile.

  "Good," Piper said and stingingly slapped her face. "That's for making me believe that I lost you."

  Bailey gaped at her in stunned surprise, bringing her left hand up to cup her burning cheek.

  "Good for her," Nancy said approvingly as she observed from the porch.

  "Ouch," Jack said.

  "I've a mind to do the same thing," Doreen said.

  "Did that hurt?" Piper asked.

  "Yes," Bailey said peevishly, rubbing her cheek.

  "Good," Piper said with satisfaction, reaching up to take her hand and placing a kiss on the palm, wrapping her in a hug and placing another kiss on the injured cheek. "I love you, Bailey Ann," she added, bursting into happy tears.

  "I love you," Bailey said and Piper started to cry harder.

  "You have a lot of explaining to do," Piper cried into her chest. "I thought you were dead."

  "I promised, didn't I?"

  "Kiss me," Piper sniffled and raised her face to receive the incoming lips. "Now, come say hello to everyone who still thinks you're a ghost," she said, taking Bailey's hand and leading her slowly to the porch where smiling faces waited to greet her.

  Bailey gingerly took the last step and smiled at her mother. "Hello, Mum," she said and was enveloped by a crying Doreen.

  "It's very good to see you, Bailey," Martin said with a happy grin, patting her on the hand that was circling her mother's back.

  "Hi, Martin," she said over Doreen's shoulder.

  Doreen finally let go of her and was replaced instantly by Liz. "Thank God, Bailey."

  The embraces went through everyone including Nancy and even the usually silent Fiona, who was obviously in awe of her. Piper never released Bailey's hand and let the tears fall from her eyes unchecked.

  She was eventually led back into the house and taken to the dining room where Josh was found busily going about eating dinner, he looked up sheepishly as everyone came back into the room and Piper glared at him disapprovingly.

  "What?" he said around a mouthful of food. "I tried to get her to stop," he said gesturing at Bailey. "But she was in a hurry to get here."

  "Piper get her a chair," Liz said as they all began to take up their seats.

  Piper let go of Bailey's hand tentatively and began to leave the room, throwing an uncertain glance over her shoulder with every step as if she wouldn't be there when she got back.

  "Corey get Bailey a chair, please," Liz said rolling her eyes and Piper instantly closed the distance to retake possession of Bailey's hand.

  When Bailey was seated, she reached over and patted her still crying mother's hand. "I'm sorry, Mum."

  "They said you were dead, child."

  "It was ne
cessary, I'm sorry," Bailey said, squeezing Piper's hand tightly.

  "Is it over?"

  "Yes, it is," Bailey said with a nod.

  "Are you okay?" Ryan asked.

  "I'll need the cane to get around for awhile, but yes, I've never been better," she said with a brilliant smile and Piper's eyes grew moist again at the sight of it.

  "A lot of people were hurting very badly over your loss, young lady," Jack said.

  "I'm truly sorry," Bailey said. "It was unavoidable, not only for everyone's safety but for mine as well. I was out for over two weeks following surgery. They weren't sure whether or not I was going to make it and didn't want to take the chance of making me a target while I was defenseless. They decided to proceed as if I died and followed my instructions in that regard."

  "We're just glad to have you back, Bailey," Corey said.

  "Yes," Liz said in agreement, "very glad," she added with a smile nudging Piper's knee under the table.

  Piper's face scrunched up confusedly and she turned a look on her mother, who smiled and nudged her again, forcing a little box into her hand.

  "Thank you," Bailey said. "It means a lot to me knowing that I have friends and… uhm… family…" She paused, her voice cracking on the last word. "…Family that care for me."

  "Don't ever doubt that, child," Doreen said and Bailey nodded.

  Piper reluctantly took her eyes off Bailey and looked to see what her mother had given her, letting out a quiet gasp at what she found. Her eyes came up to meet Liz's and her mother nodded, grinning encouragingly at her.

  Taking a deep breath Piper steadied herself. "Uhm…Bailey," she started and almost lost her nerve when Bailey turned an adoring glance in her direction.

  "Yes?"

  "I…I…" Piper stopped and cleared her throat and Liz chuckled, earning a quick, vicious glare from her daughter.

  "What's the matter?" Bailey asked squeezing Piper's hand.

  "Oh boy," Piper groaned. "I want to give you your Christmas present."

  "You bought me a present?"

  "It's more than that," Piper said, feeling the sweat break out on her body, her face growing hot. She slowly brought her hand up from under the table and presented the box to Bailey, shyly.

  Bailey let go of Piper's hand, using both to cradle the box and open the lid, emitting a little gasp when the contents were revealed. Her eyes grew moist and quickly overfilled as Piper took the ring from the box, grabbing her left hand in the process.

  "Last night, I went to bed not wanting to wake up," Piper said in barely more than a whisper. "Tonight, I'll fall asleep thanking God I have this chance. I don't ever want to face another day without you in it," she stopped for another deep breath and a sniffle. "I want to love, honor, and cherish you for the rest of my life. I love you, I'll always love you. Please, be mine."

  Bailey choked back a sob and forgot there was anyone else in the room at Piper's words. She opened her mouth to speak but to her dismay she found herself incapable of forming anything coherent.

  "Just nod yes or no, goofy," Piper croaked.

  Bailey vigorously nodded to the affirmative and Piper slipped the ring on her finger. "I love you."

  "Way to go, Pippy!" Nancy said, instigating approving smiles and happy applause from the other occupants of the room.

  Bailey stared through tearing eyes at the ring encircling her finger, only dimly aware of the noise surrounding her. She brought her eyes up to meet Piper's and promptly broke into tears, arms immediately enveloped her and she wept helplessly into the crimson hair.

  Liz wiped at her own eyes. "Let's give them a moment shall we?" she said, standing from her chair. "Josh, would you get her things from the car and I'll find you a place to bunk down for the night?"

  "Yes, ma'am," Josh said as he rose from the table.

  Doreen got up from the table and lovingly stroked Bailey's hair as she passed. "I'm happy for you, child."

  Piper held her tightly until she cried herself out; several minutes after everyone had left them alone in the room. Finally, she pulled back and looked at her with such open and honest emotion that she felt the breath leave her body.

  "I love you, Piper."

  "I know," Piper said. "Come to bed, you must be tired. We can talk in the morning."

  Bailey nodded and accepted the offered hand that was extended to help her out of her chair. She reached for her cane upon standing and was led slowly through a suspiciously abandoned house and carefully up the stairs. Piper found Bailey's bag already sitting on the bed and quickly walked over to set it on the floor so she could sit down.

  As soon as she was seated, she pulled the necklace from under her shirt and slipped it gently over Bailey's head. "This is yours," Piper said with a kiss on her lips. "It broke my heart to see it off of you."

  "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

  "I love you, Bailey," Piper said with another kiss taking a seat beside her on the bed.

  "I love you, too."

  Piper sat quietly, absorbing the emotion coming off of her with a smile.

  "Would you help me with my shoes, please?" Bailey asked after a moment.

  "Of course," Piper said as she knelt before her and undid the laces on her boots. "How did you get them on?"

  "I had to have Josh help me," Bailey admitted with a scowl.

  "Poor baby," Piper said, smiling at the image that produced as she pulled the shoes off.

  "Want me to help you with your pants?"

  "Turn the light off first."

  "I've seen you naked before," Piper said with a puzzled look as Bailey cast her eyes down. "What's wrong?"

  "I…I have scars."

  "Oh baby, that doesn't mean anything to me."

  "Please, just turn off the light."

  "Alright, love," Piper said with a nod and got up to turn off the light. She returned in the dark and slowly helped her out of her clothes, noticing a quiet hiss of pain as she pulled the shirt over her head.

  "Did I hurt you?"

  "No."

  "Liar," Piper said, taking off her own clothes and crawling into the opposite side of the bed. "I'm sorry."

  "It's okay," Bailey said. "Let me hold you."

  Piper quickly snuggled into the waiting arms and Bailey felt the tears on her chest.

  "I'm so glad to have you back," Piper said in the dark. "I thought I was going to die it hurt so bad."

  "I'm so sorry to have put you through that."

  Piper just squeezed her as tightly as she dared.

  V

  It's been so long since I've been home, I've been gone, I've been gone for way too long

  - K. Rock

  Piper opened her eyes in the morning with alarm, and upon feeling the soft skin held tightly in her arms, let out a long sigh of relief.

  "Thank you, God," she whispered with a sniffle.

  She spent over an hour thoughtfully playing with the mass of unruly ebony hair that was spread out over a full quarter of the bed before she slipped out from under the covers to shrug into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. Once dressed, she stood for a long time staring down at the sleeping form that had a hand curled between her breasts and an angry red area on her left shoulder the size of a baseball. She bent and placed a light kiss on the wounded shoulder and planted another gently on her forehead, tenderly sweeping the hair out of her face.

  "I love you so much," she whispered and placed another kiss to her forehead on her way out the room.

  She made short work out of her trip to a freezing bathroom and happily bounced down the stairs on her way to the kitchen, where she found her mother and Doreen gossiping.

  "Good morning," Piper said, getting a chuckle out of both women.

  "I see you found exactly what you needed," Liz said with a grin.

  "Yeah."

  "You made her very happy last night, dear," Doreen said. "Is she awake?"

  "No, she's still sleeping," Piper said with a slight blush.

  "What's the blush for?" Liz asked. />
  "I can't believe I did that in front of everyone."

  "Don't be embarrassed, the look on her face was worth every minute."

  "Yeah, it was," Piper said, grinning.

  "I think I'm going to look in on her," Doreen said, rising from her chair.

  "She'd like that," Piper said with a smile and getting a smile in return as Doreen made her way out of the kitchen.

  "How is she?" Liz asked after a moment. "She leans pretty hard on that cane."

  "She seems okay," Piper said. "She hasn't talked about it."

  "Josh was in here earlier," Liz said. "He picked her up at the hospital and spoke to her doctor."

  "Is something wrong?"

  "She's okay now, sweetie," Liz said. "But she should still be in bed. She left the hospital over her doctor's objections. You should make sure she takes it really easy the next few weeks. According to Josh, she had a pretty rough time of it."

  "What do you mean?"

  "He said they had to revive her on the operating table three different times and she was in a coma for almost a week."

  "My God," Piper said, starting to cry.

  "She's fine now, honey," Liz said enveloping her in a hug. "She's one tough chick."

  Piper snickered into her mother's shoulder. "Yeah, she is."

  "Right now, she just needs people to care for her and to accept her."

  "She wouldn't let me see her naked last night," Piper said with a little blush. "She says she has scars."

  "I'm sure she does, Piper," Liz said. "When you see them, you just act like they're not there."

  "I will," Piper said. "I'm just so glad to have her back."

  "I know you are, dear," Liz said, releasing her embrace. "She fought very hard to come back to you."

  Piper sniffled. "I know, I feel bad I ever doubted her."

  "Hush," Liz chided. "I'm in a good mood, I'll fix you breakfast."

  "Wow, thanks," Piper said. "But I'll wait for Bailey."

  "Why don't I fix something and you can take it up to her when Doreen comes back?"

  "Sounds like a plan."

  ----------

  Doreen entered the bedroom quietly and noticed her daughter lying on her side with her back to the door; her hair billowed out on the mattress behind her leaving her naked back exposed. She stepped lightly over to the bed and sat down gingerly, letting her eyes take in the beauty of her sleeping child. Her face turned to a sad scowl as she noticed the faint scars on the exposed back and the inflamed skin of the wound to her shoulder.