Stories by Kiera Dellacroix

by Dellacroix, Kiera

  "Oh, baby," she whispered, reaching out and tenderly running a finger over the scars.

  "Mum?"

  "Yes, dear."

  "I'm sorry."

  "For what, child?"

  "For everything."

  "You've nothing to be sorry for."

  "I'm sorry I didn't turn out to be a better daughter," Bailey whispered.

  "Child, I don't have the words to tell you how proud I am of you."

  "Do you mean that?"

  "Of course I do," Doreen said. "I can't imagine how you've led the life you have without going mad or becoming a monster. I look at you and I see an exquisitely beautiful woman that is so sweet it makes my heart swell with pride," she felt the back under her hand hitch. "It's alright to cry, sweetheart. I get the feeling it's something you haven't let yourself do until very recently."

  Bailey's hand came up to wipe at her eyes. "Do you love me?"

  Doreen bit back a sob. "Always have, always will."

  "I love you, too," Bailey managed before she broke.

  Doreen gathered her wayward daughter in her arms, savoring the sensation of holding her child and marveling at the complexity of the woman in her embrace. As fragile as a house of cards yet capable of destruction on a grand scale, seemingly immune to physical pain yet terribly vulnerable to matters of the heart. Shaking her head, she held her gently and hummed comfortingly until the tears subsided.

  "You've a lot of people here that care about you," Doreen whispered after a moment, stroking Bailey's hair. "Liz was beside herself when Piper told her what happened. She loves you like you were one of her own."

  "Really?"

  "Yes, honey," Doreen said, frowning at the insecurity her daughter exhibited. "You seem to be the only one who doesn't care for you."

  "I know what I've done."

  "There should be no guilt in surviving, child," Doreen chided. "There's a little redhead downstairs so happy to have you back, she's ready to wet herself. She doesn't give a rat's ass what you've done, she sees who you are and she loves you for it. As do I."

  "I love her, too."

  "I know you do," Doreen said with a smile. "She was devastated until you showed up yesterday. She had a very hard time. I don't think she would've ever gotten over it."

  "I'm so sorry," Bailey said. "I didn't have a choice."

  "I know, so does she," Doreen said her smile growing. "She was very difficult early on, I had to whack her a couple of times to get her on the straight and narrow."

  Bailey chuckled. "Is that where she learned that?" she asked, bringing a hand up to rub her cheek.

  "Probably," Doreen said with a chuckle of her own. "Can I see the ring she gave you yesterday?"

  Bailey brought the sheet up to cover herself and rolled over on to her back, sitting up to present her mother with the ring.

  "It's beautiful," Doreen said, holding Bailey's hand, not missing the gentle smile or the happy spark in her daughter's eyes. "Do you have one for her?"

  "No. I wish I did."

  "Maybe I can help you with that," Doreen said and grinning slyly she dug in the pocket of her sweater to produce a ring that she placed into Bailey's palm.

  "Where did you get this?" Bailey said, her eyes widening.

  "It was your grandmother's," Doreen said. "I think she would've wanted my daughter to have it."

  "Really?"

  "Your grandfather saved for over three years to buy that for her."

  "It's lovely," Bailey said, examining the ring clustered with diamonds. "Are you sure, Mum?"

  "Very," Doreen said. "I always wanted another daughter."

  "Thanks," Bailey said shyly.

  "My pleasure, child," Doreen said, leaning forward and placing a kiss on her forehead. "That Piper is a handful, you'd better keep her happy."

  "I'll do my best."

  "Why don't you get up and around, Piper was talking the other day about having to go back to Atlanta soon," Doreen said. "We need to make some plans."

  "Okay," Bailey said. "We'll talk about it in a bit, if that's alright?"

  "Of course it is," Doreen said, standing from the bed. "I'll see you shortly then," she added on her way to the door.

  "Mum?" Bailey said before she left.

  "Yes?" Doreen said turning in the doorway.

  "Thanks," Bailey said quietly. "For everything," she added studying the sheet around her chest.

  "I love you, Bailey."

  ----------

  Piper arrived with breakfast a few moments later and happily set the tray in Bailey's lap, who was still sitting up in bed.

  "Hey there."

  "Hey."

  "How ya feeling?" Piper asked, handing her some silverware.

  "Okay," Bailey said, digging into the omelet immediately.

  "Don't take this personally," Piper said. "But you stink."

  "Gee, thanks."

  "You need a shower."

  "I get the hint already," Bailey said with narrowed eyes. "Can I eat first?"

  "If you must."

  "I must."

  "Bailey," Piper said suddenly serious. "What do you want to do now?"

  "Whatever makes you happy."

  "I mean about the business and your family."

  "It's up to you," Bailey said. "I have everything I need in life sitting in this room."

  "You're such a mushball."

  "We can do whatever you want, Piper," Bailey said. "We can go back to Atlanta, we can sell the company, or we can hire a replacement for you. It's up to you."

  "What about everyone else?"

  "As far as my family is concerned, now that they can, they're free to do as they wish. As for me, I'll do anything or go anywhere you want."

  "Would you want to live here?"

  "I want what you want, Piper."

  "Gosh, you're easy to get along with."

  "I don't think anyone has ever accused me of that before."

  "I asked Martin to come to work for C-Corp."

  "Good choice."

  "Can I think about this for a bit?"

  "Sure."

  "Would you like to live here and maybe buy or build a house with me?"

  "I want to be with you forever, Piper," Bailey said, polishing off the last of her omelet.

  "I want that, too," Piper said. "You must have been hungry, you gonna take that shower now?"

  "Uhm…I can't stand in the shower without help or my cane. I'll need to take a bath I think."

  "That's fine," Piper said. "Would you like help?"

  Bailey studied the empty plate on her lap.

  "What's wrong?"

  "I don't want you to see me," Bailey said in a whisper.

  "That's ridiculous," Piper chided. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"

  Bailey fidgeted with her fork. "That may have been true before."

  "It's still true, love," Piper said, taking the tray off Bailey's lap. "Let me help you," she added, rising from the bed and digging a robe out of her closet for Bailey to wear.

  "Here put this on," Piper said, collecting the tray and putting it on the dresser so she had a moment to cover herself. She turned in time to see her tie the sash around her waist.

  "Let me go start some water for you, I'll be back in a minute," Piper said walking over to peck her on the cheek.

  "Okay," Bailey said and waited worriedly until she returned a few minutes later.

  "Ready?" Piper asked, entering the room and extending a hand to help her to her feet.

  She grabbed her cane and let her lead her to the bathroom where upon entering, Piper went over to sit on the edge of the tub, testing the temperature of the water and swirling her hand around in the bubbles until it stopped filling.

  "Piper…"

  "Hush," Piper interrupted. "You're being silly. I would love you if you lost your arms and legs," she said, taking off her own clothes in an attempt to put Bailey more at ease.

  "Ready?" Piper asked. "I'll help you get in."

  "Piper…" Bailey
started but Piper closed the distance between them and silenced her with a kiss.

  "Come on, sweetie, you have nothing to worry about," she said and Bailey finally brought a hand up to undo the sash of her robe; shrugging her shoulders one at a time until the robe fell to the floor, happy that her hair covered her front.

  "Could you…uhm…"

  Piper giggled. "Did Josh help with that part too?"

  "No!" Bailey said horrified and scowled when Piper started to laugh.

  Piper chuckled again and knelt to help her out of her underpants, feeling her heart skip a beat upon sighting the livid red crease just above and to the side of her right knee.

  "How did you get dressed then?"

  "Very carefully," Bailey said, scowling at the humor still evident in Piper's voice. "I was so exhausted by the time I was finally done, I had to ask Josh to come in and help me with my shoes and socks."

  "Ahhh," Piper said trying to hide her smile and taking Bailey's hand gingerly. "This old tub is huge, both of us can fit in here quite comfortably," she added, leading her over and taking her weight as she lifted a leg over the side and into the water. "Okay?" she asked as she stepped over the side herself, holding her upright.

  "Yeah," Bailey said and grimaced a little as she bent to sit in the water between Piper's legs.

  "Baby, how long were you told you'd have to use the cane?"

  "A month or two, it depends."

  "Depends on what?"

  "Depends on when I can put it to use and since I can't strain my belly muscles for quite some time, it'll be a little while."

  "I'm so sorry you got hurt."

  "You were worth it," Bailey said. "I'd do it all over again if I had to."

  "I love you," Piper whispered. "More than I can ever say."

  "I love you, too," Bailey said swishing her new ring around in the bubbles in front of her with a smile.

  "Here let me get your hair."

  VI

  I see your true colors, And that's why I love you

  - T. Kelly, B. Steinberg

  "So what are ya gonna do now, Josh?" Martin asked as soon as Josh parked the GTO in the barn and got out.

  "No idea," Josh said, putting the keys in his pocket and taking a seat on a hay bale next to Ryan and Corey.

  "How long ago did you meet Bailey, Josh?" Corey asked.

  "Six years, give or take," Josh said, shaking his head at the memory. "Only saw her for a second though, didn't meet up with her again until recently, when she called and pretty much blackmailed me," he chuckled. "I'm glad she did though."

  "What do you mean you only saw her for a second?" Ryan asked.

  "Uhm… she's really fast."

  "You've seen her in action then?"

  "Yes."

  "Tell me about it," Ryan said.

  "I don't think she would want me to."

  "I'd like to know more about her."

  "I've discovered there's much more to her than just violence, Ryan," Josh said. "I think the sister she would want you to know was the one at the dinner table last night."

  "Indeed," Jack agreed. "I believe she'd like to put her past behind her. You should let her."

  "I was just curious," Ryan said. "I've a hard time comparing the sister I knew all those years ago with the one capable of killing all those people."

  "She's still that girl you knew, Ryan," Martin spoke up. "In more ways than you can imagine."

  "If you want to hear a story, let me tell you how she made an ass out of the guys over Thanksgiving," Corey said and Jack chuckled.

  "Do tell," Ryan said with a smile.

  ----------

  "Bailey?" Piper asked sitting behind her and running a comb through her hair.

  "Hmmm?"

  "What would you think about opening up like a restaurant nightclub here in town?"

  "Sure," Bailey said, enjoying the feel of Piper's hands in her hair.

  "Really?"

  "Really," Bailey said. "Actually that sounds kind of fun."

  "You wouldn't mind?"

  "Nope."

  "Could we ask Martin and Josh to come help us run the place?" Piper asked. "Maybe Ryan and Fiona would like to help as well."

  "We can do anything you want."

  "Would you really like to build a house here?"

  "Piper, I'd live with you in a homeless shelter."

  "Hush."

  "Thanks for shaving my legs, they were disgusting," Bailey said with a scowl.

  Piper giggled. "Well a month in bed will do that to you."

  "It's not funny."

  "I thought I was shaving under Corey's arms there for a minute."

  Bailey threw a dark glare over her shoulder and received a snicker. "Your mean looks don't affect me, goofy. I know what a sweetheart you really are."

  "Is that a fact?"

  "Yep," Piper said, placing a kiss on her back.

  "I'm pruning up and I need to talk to everyone, you ready to get out?"

  "Yep," Piper said, standing in the tub and helping Bailey to her feet with an effort. "Gosh, for someone your size, you sure are heavy."

  "It's the muscle."

  "Are you okay to stand for a minute or do you want me to help you dry off?"

  "I should be okay for a minute," Bailey said, starting to rub a towel through her hair.

  Piper started to dry herself but paused as she observed the extent of Bailey's injuries. With her arms in the air her belly was exposed and Piper saw the large crescent shaped scar on her right, that ran from just below her ribcage, to end about two inches above her belly button. The flesh surrounding it was an inflamed red, the incision itself a crimson line that had not fully healed. Turning abruptly so Bailey wouldn't see her, she quickly ran the towel over her face to rub away the tears that had formed.

  "It'll heal."

  "I'm just so sorry you got hurt," Piper said. "It's all my fault."

  "What?" Bailey asked, putting on her robe and taking up her cane.

  "I shouldn't have gone home that day," Piper said. "You wouldn't have been hurt if I had stayed in the office."

  "That's just stupid," Bailey said. "Nothing, absolutely nothing, was your fault. They had you targeted, Piper. If they hadn't got you at home they would've snatched you from the office. If anything, I should have known they would attempt to use you against me. You'd think after all those years of having my family held above my head that I would've seen it coming. You did nothing wrong, the only thing you were guilty of was loving me."

  "I do love you, Bailey," Piper said, closing the distance between them and embracing her tightly.

  "I love you, too," Bailey said. "I don't want to hear anymore talk about this, okay?"

  "Okay," Piper said with a sniffle.

  "Now come help me get dressed," Bailey said with a grin. "I'm sure Josh would probably fall over dead if I asked him to help me get my underwear on."

  Piper giggled into Bailey's robe. "Probably."

  ----------

  Piper dressed Bailey in her favorite sweats, a baggy black T-shirt, and pair of white sneakers. She spent a few minutes helping her tie up her hair and repainted her nails, which in Piper's opinion looked awful after several weeks of not caring for them. When she was satisfied, and after some more discussion, she helped her gingerly down the stairs and into the kitchen to find Liz alone and puttering about.

  "Hello, sweetie," she exclaimed when Piper led Bailey into the room. "How are you feeling today?"

  "Much better, actually," Bailey said. "Thank you for taking my family in. That was very kind."

  "Well, they're my family now too, aren't they?"

  "Yeah, I guess they are," Bailey said with a little blush.

  "What an adorable blush," Liz said with a chuckle.

  "Mom," Piper chided as she led Bailey to a chair.

  "Hush, Piper," Liz said, crossing the room to kiss Bailey on the forehead once she was seated. "I'm delighted to have you here, Bailey. It broke my heart to hear that we lost you."
/>   Bailey nodded and studied the surface of the table as Liz ran a loving hand over the top of her head. "Would you like a snack?"

  "Yeah, Mom," Piper said.

  "Would you like a snack, Bailey?" Liz clarified and Piper let out a long sigh.

  "Sure," Bailey said.

  "I guess I'll go round everyone up, where are they, Mom?" Piper asked.

  "The boys were hanging out in the barn, I assume they're still there. Doreen is upstairs with Jennifer and Fiona."

  "Okay," Piper said, standing and kissing Bailey on the cheek. "I'll be back in a bit."

  Liz fixed Bailey a sandwich and sat down in a chair across from her. "You okay?"

  "I am now."

  "Sweetheart, everyone here knows the hardships you've endured," Liz said. "And I want you to know that all of us think you're the bravest and the strongest person we've ever known. Piper has told me you feel guilt and even shame over your actions in the past, and you need to know that there's no room in this house for such nonsense. There is nothing but honor in walking the path you did for the lives of your family."

  Bailey could only nod at the words and bring a hand up to wipe at her eyes.

  "Eat your sandwich, dear," Liz said, reaching over to pat her hand. "Piper will be back in a minute and I don't want her to think I've upset you."

  Bailey cleared her throat. "Thank you," she said, her eyes still on the tabletop.

  "I meant it, honey," Liz said. "Everyone in this house feels that way. They elected me to talk to you, so you wouldn't have to hear it more than once."

  "That means a lot to me."

  "You mean a lot to us," Liz replied. "Eat."

  Bailey mustered a smile and picked up her sandwich. She was a bite away from completion when Piper returned and snatched the last bit off her plate.

  "Hey," Bailey said.

  "Pretty good," Piper mumbled with her mouth full. "I wish my Mom would fix me something every once in a while," she added with a little scowl in Liz's direction.

  "Did you find everybody?"

  "Yeah, they're in the living room," Piper said. "You ready?"

  "Yep," Bailey said, carefully lifting herself out of her chair.

  "Here let me help you, goofy," Piper said, rushing to her side. "Don't strain yourself."