"Yes, please." She moved out of the way to allow Nikki access.
Dani walked over and leaned against the bed. "Will you consider staying with us for the first week? I’ll worry about you if you don’t."
"There’s no need to worry, I’ll be fine. I really just want to be in my own home, but thank you."
Nikki turned from her task and faced the two women. "If you won’t come stay with us, will you let me stay with you?" She saw Alex stiffen and quickly continued. "I don’t mind sleeping on the couch, and it would only be for a week. Besides I think Dani and Rachel could use a break from me." She gave Alex a pleading look. "I promise to stay out of your way, but I’ll be there if you need me. What do you say?"
"I’m not getting rid of you am I?"
Nikki smiled in triumph. "No, but why would you want to?"
Alex glared playfully at her and said, "Make yourself useful, and pack up my things." Nikki grinned and silently went back to work. Before Alex could give Dani grief as well, Nikki began to chuckle as she packed up her clothes. "What, pray tell, is so funny?" Alex asked. Nikki turned with a pair of underwear with the Batman logo emblazoned across the front, her eyebrows raised, and a large smile on her face. The look she gave Alex made her heart skip a beat, and a pang of desire shoot through her. "Blame your sister-in-law," she said with a blush. Nikki just grinned and placed them in the bag at her feet.
Everyone looked up as the door squeaked, announcing another visitor. Alice walked into the room with a smile. "I hear you’re getting out of here today, lass. That’s good news, but I’ll miss your smiling face and sharp wit." She walked over and picked up the brace. "I’m here to help you into this one last time. Let’s see if we can do this without waking the wee one."
Minutes later, wearing her brace, Alex leaned against the bed and watched as Nikki gently woke Madison. She smiled as the little girl woke happy and excited to see her Aunt Nikki. "Does she always wake up in such a good mood?" she asked.
Dani smiled lovingly at her daughter. "Most days, yes. We are very fortunate that she takes after me in that respect." She looked over at Alex and rolled her eyes. "Unlike her Aunt who is a Grumpy Gus when she wakes up."
Alex looked over at Nikki through narrowed eyes. She was sitting in a chair with Madison on her lap, whispering secrets in her ear as the little girl laughed. "Thanks for the warning. Anything else I should know?" She looked back at Dani and saw the frown and flash of pain that she quickly hid.
Dani looked over at her sister then back at Alex. "I don’t know my sister as well as I used to I’m afraid. She’s lived with us for months, but she avoids spending time with us. We used to tell each other everything, but she keeps to herself these days. We're little more than strangers." She picked at some imaginary lint on her sleeve. "I’m hoping she’ll open up to you."
Alex reached out and captured her hand. "Dani, I’m not an angel, nor am I a superhero. I’m only human. Don’t expect miracles, please."
Dani squeezed her hand and looked down into her eyes. "I understand, but you will always be Madison’s guardian angel. There is something about you, Alex, a certain charisma, that attracts people to you. I’ve seen it with everyone you’ve come into contact with in this hospital. People are drawn to you, they confide in you. I’m hoping it is the same with Nikki."
"Just remember, I’m no Anne Sullivan."
Dani chuckled. "No, and my sister is no Helen Keller, but if you manage this I will start calling you the miracle worker."
They all turned toward the door when they heard it squeak. Dr. Jones walked into the room, her eyes seeking out Alex. Her lips curved up into a smile when she saw her laughing. She walked up to her and handed her a CD. "Your entire record of this visit as you requested. Are you sure I can’t convince you to transfer?"
Alex accepted the CD and placed it in the bag on the bed. She looked at Dr. Jones and realized that the doctor was just a few inches taller than her as she looked up into her dark brown eyes. "Thank you." She looked a little closer and decided the doctor was actually a very attractive woman. Ten years ago, she would have pursued this woman, but now all she felt was a fleeting moment of attraction followed by apathy. "I’m sorry, but no. I’ve made up my mind and am looking forward to being at home."
Dani walked over beside Nikki and scooped her daughter up into her arms. Dr. Jones took advantage of the recently vacated space by stepping closer to Alex. "I worry about you being alone. Something could happen to reinjure your leg."
Alex smiled politely. "No worries, Doctor. I won’t be alone."
"I see." She took a step back and held out her hand. When Alex placed hers into it, the Doctor raised it to her lips, placing a soft kiss on the knuckles. "She’s a lucky woman." She let go and, with a sad smile, turned for the door. As she opened it she paused. "If you change your mind, you have my number," she said, then was gone.
As the door swung shut Dani walked up and stood in front of Alex. "Wow, you handled that pretty well. Almost like you’re used to women hitting on you."
"Hitting on me makes them gay, not me. Keep trying, Danielle," Alex said. As Dani stood there with her mouth hanging open, Nikki chuckled. Alex maneuvered into the wheelchair and reached for her bag, placing it on her lap. "Can we go now, please?"
"Of course." Nikki handed Alex her crutches and stepped up behind the chair. Making sure the wheel locks were disengaged, she began to push her out of the room as Dani and Madison trailed behind. Several minutes later Nikki helped her into the car before climbing into the backseat with Madison.
Once everyone was situated, Dani turned to Alex and said, "Lead the way." She started the car and began to follow her directions.
Alex became more subdued the closer they got to her house, only speaking to tell Dani when to turn. She bit her lip and stared out the window as she wondered why she was taking them to her home. She began to question how much she really knew about them, and why she was so comfortable with them. Alex wiped her palms on her shorts and noticed her hands were trembling. "I can’t do this," she whispered.
Dani looked over at Alex, unsure if she’d heard her, and noticed her highly agitated state. She quickly found a safe place to pull over and turned off the car. "Alex, honey, tell me what’s wrong." She calmly reached out and placed a hand on her forearm. Her anxiety was obvious and hung in the air like thick dense clouds. "Look at me, Alex." She waited until she raised her eyes. "None of us would ever intentionally hurt you, you know that right?" Alex stared blankly at her. "Honey, you are very special and I owe you a debt I can never repay. I would never hurt you."
"You don’t know me, and I don't really know any of you."
Dani smiled and said, "I know all I need to know. You saved my daughter’s life. Everything else is unimportant. I’m sure you’ve made mistakes, done things you regret, and have things you wish you could change. After all you’re human. Those things don’t tell me who you are deep down. Saving a complete stranger tells me everything I need to know about you. As for what you know about us, just ask. I promise to answer any question you ask."
Alex frowned and took a deep breath in an effort to calm her rising fears. She wondered again at how easily these women had managed to breach her defenses, and if she could trust her feelings. "Why are you doing this for me?"
Dani gave Alex's arm a gentle squeeze. "I figure it is the least I can do after what you've done for me. Besides, I like you. I enjoy your company, and consider you a friend."
After a moment of silence Alex said, "I could be a serial killer. I might lock you in my basement and have my way with you before burying you in the backyard."
Dani smiled and glanced at her sister before saying, "Thinking about having your way with me are you? Are you letting your nerves give you away?"
Alex snorted. "If you believe that, then you believe the rest of the story as well. Besides, having my way with you doesn't have to be sexual." She looked at her with her eyebrows raised. "Still willing to take me home?"
Wi
thout hesitation, Dani answered, "Yes. Do you still want to go, or are you afraid we will take advantage of you?"
After a deep breath Alex replied, "Yes." She dried her palms on her shorts and pointed to a street up ahead on the left. "Turn left at Lake Shore Drive."
Dani narrowed her eyes as she stared at Alex. "That was a two part question you know." She started the car but left it in park. Alex quietly nodded. "You know you can trust us, right?" She looked over her shoulder at Nikki while she waited for the answer.
Alex stared straight ahead, refusing to look at either woman. After a moment of silence she said, "I've had a bit of bad luck with relationships. Trust is a logical act, and logic tells me that I can trust you. But trust is also emotional, and I'm not sure I'm emotionally capable of trusting anyone right now."
Dani frowned at the pain in Alex's voice. "Well, we'll help you through this rough patch, and maybe when it's over you'll realize that you can trust us." She checked for traffic and pulled out onto the street. "Left on Lake Shore, towards the lake?" She looked over and seeing Alex nod, turned down the specified street. Her eyes widened at the expansive, well lit streets and large houses behind walls and iron gates that stood as a testament to the wealth of the inhabitants. "Where to?" she asked.
"All the way to the end of the street."
Dani pulled up in front of the gate of the property at the end of the street. She was unable to see the house behind the walls, but thought it must be huge since the property that contained it was easily two to three times as large as any of the others on the street. She turned and looked at Alex. "Seriously?"
"The code is one two five nine seven." Dani pressed the buttons on the keypad and the gate slowly rolled open. She pulled in and watched it close behind them. Unable to see the house through the trees, she followed the winding driveway. She gasped when they rounded a bend in the drive and the lake suddenly came into view behind a surprisingly modest house. She pulled up in front of the house and stopped the car, taking a moment to let her eyes wander over the property.
Nikki opened the door for Alex and offered her a hand. Climbing from the car awkwardly, she clutched Nikki’s hand as she struck her foot against the door, and pain shot up her left leg. Nikki immediately slipped her arm around her and whispered in her ear, "You’re okay, I’ve got you."
Alex rested her forehead against Nikki's shoulder and bit her lip to keep from cursing. As the pain began to subside, she realized she was in Nikki’s arms and it felt good. She quickly pulled back and said, "I’m sorry."
"No need to apologize. I’m just glad I was here." She handed her the crutches and stepped back. "Are you okay? I thought you were going to curse like a sailor there for a minute."
Alex chuckled. "That obvious am I?"
Nikki shrugged. "It's what I would have done." She followed closely as she hobbled around the back of the car towards the front stairs. "I admire your restraint."
Once she finally made it up the steps, Alex smiled down at Madison. "It wasn’t easy." She looked over at Nikki who stood beside her, far enough away to give the illusion of independence, but close enough to catch her again should she stumble. "I hope you’re not easily offended."
Nikki grinned as Dani shook her head in mock disgust. "Not usually no."
Alex pulled the key from her pocket and unlocked the front door. She stepped inside and headed for the security keypad before she noticed it wasn’t active. She tilted her head to one side as she tried to remember when Maria and Ilario were supposed to return from their trip to Italy. Unsure if they were back or not, she motioned for everyone to stay in the entryway as she headed deeper into the house. A loud beep emanated from the security keypad announcing the front door was open. As she rounded the corner, she came face to face with Maria, startling them both.
"Madre di Dio!"
"Damn it!"
Nikki and Dani looked at each other curiously as they heard a torrent of Italian, interspersed by an unidentifiable sound. They both walked around the corner to see a small, motherly figure yelling at Alex. Periodically she would punctuate her words with a slap to Alex’s arm. She stood there quietly, taking the abuse with her head hung low. Dani stepped forward to interrupt, and quickly stopped as Alex spoke quietly to the woman in Italian. The woman’s look of annoyance turned to fear, her eyes filled with tears, and her mouth snapped shut before she turned and quickly fled the room.
Alex raised her head in time to see Maria flee through the door to the kitchen. "Maria. Come back, please," she called. She took one step forward and heard the kitchen door slam shut. The flow of words from her mouth may have been in a language they didn’t speak, but there was no mistaking the meaning.
"So much for your restraint." Nikki laughed when Alex looked at her and blushed.
She looked over at a grinning Dani. "Sorry about that. At least she doesn’t speak Italian."
"Is that what that is? It is a beautiful language, even that last little bit." She winked at Alex. "Where did you learn?"
"Italy." She gave Dani a shrug. "There's no better way to learn a language than immersing yourself in it."
Alex gestured for them to follow her, and quickly led them to the living room in the back of the house. As they stepped into the room, she heard Dani gasp. "Oh, how beautiful." The majority of the back wall was glass, allowing an amazing view of the lake and uncut forest.
"Please make yourselves at home. I need to go find Maria." With a nod she turned and left the room in search of her housekeeper. She hobbled through the kitchen and out into the backyard. It wasn’t long before she found Maria on a bench overlooking the lake. She gratefully sat down beside her and quietly waited.
A moment later Maria said, "Why didn’t you call us?"
Alex sighed and looked out at the lake. "I’m sorry, I have no excuse. I should have called days ago."
Maria turned and looked at her. "Days? It has been weeks, piccola."
"Yes, but I’ve only been awake for a few days." At Maria’s look of confusion she began to explain about the accident and ensuing coma. When she finished they sat quietly looking out at the lake.
"You are forgiven, Tesoro." Maria raised her hand and placed it on Alex’s cheek. "But please don’t scare an old woman like that again." She brushed the hair back behind her ear, and for the first time, noticed it seemed much thinner on the left side. She pulled it aside and saw the much shorter hair underneath.
"They had to shave it in order to stitch me up." Alex pulled Maria into a hug as the older woman began to cry. "I’m okay."
Nikki glanced around the tastefully furnished living room. The chocolate brown leather couch, love seat, and recliner were all situated to take advantage of the view offered by the large windows flanking the stone fireplace. The sun's rays reflected off the hardwood floors giving the room a soft glow. She stepped into the office and was amazed by the difference between the two rooms. This room was very sparsely furnished and the walls were bare. She stepped up to the window and looked out over the garden. She noticed the two women sitting on the bench talking, and saw Maria place her hand on Alex’s cheek. She watched as the two women appeared to comfort each other, and felt better knowing that Alex had someone in her life that cared what happened to her. She turned away from the window and headed back into the living room.
As she took a second look around, she realized that the only photographs visible were of wild animals or landscapes; no photos of family or friends could be seen. Hearing a noise, she looked up to see Alex walk into the room, followed closely by Maria.
Alex quickly made the introductions before turning to Maria and saying, "Nikki will be staying with us for a week or two. Please prepare the guest room."
Maria hid her surprise and replied, "Sì, Tesoro. I am so glad to have you home again." She gave Alex’s forearm a quick squeeze. "There will be no more running in the streets for you. Do you hear me?" she asked with a tender smile.
"Sì, Madre." She grinned as Maria took a playful swipe at her
. "Hey Maddy, do you want to go out in the backyard and see the water?"
Madison jumped up and down with excitement. "Mommy can I go outside with my angel?"
"Yes, sweetie, but Aunt Nikki needs to go with you and keep you both out of trouble. I’ll be out in just a minute."
As Nikki, Alex, and Madison walked out the door, Dani turned to Maria and asked, "What did you mean by your running in the streets comment?"
Maria looked at her for a moment before she responded. "I will answer your question if you answer one of mine." At her nod she continued, "Why did your daughter call Alex ‘my angel’?"
Dani looked out the window at Alex as she pointed something out to Madison. "She told you she was hit by a car while jogging in the street, didn’t she?" She looked back at Maria and saw her nod.
"Is that not what happened?"
"Yes and no. She was out jogging, but she was on the sidewalk. My daughter ran past me into the street, and into the path of a speeding car." She watched as understanding dawned on Maria’s face. "She ran out, scooped up Madison, and ran. She wasn’t quite fast enough to get out of the way, but she did save my daughter’s life."
Maria looked out into the courtyard and felt the tears well up as she watched Alex play with the young girl. "Oh, Tesoro," she whispered.
"We didn’t know her name at first, so we called her Madison’s guardian angel. That is why Madison calls her Angel." She started to head outside with the others but stopped and turned back to Maria. "Why would she not tell you the whole story?" she asked.
Maria looked out the window at Alex as she responded. "She has been hurt deeply, and taken advantage of by many, this has caused her to become a very private person. She no longer trusts easily, and has learned to keep her own counsel in certain matters. When she was younger, she would boast of her accomplishments in some things, but this she would have kept to herself even then. It is who she is. Some things you just do because they are the right thing to do, not because you want recognition for them." She watched as Alex smiled up at Nikki. "You are all good for her, she needs you." She turned back to Dani with a smile. "If you will excuse me, I have duties to tend to."
The Queen of Diamonds Page 4