The Queen of Diamonds

by Raven Cavalleu

  "Are we really going to do this now instead of Saturday?"

  Dani and Nikki both nodded. "It might be best," Dani replied. "We'll both be nervous and uncomfortable on Saturday, and may not be nearly as appreciative as we would be right now." She saw the incredulous look on Alex's face and said, "Besides, you started it."

  "How old are you children exactly?" Alex couldn't help but smile at the innocent look both sisters gave her.

  "Thirty," they replied in unison, making both Alex and Rachel chuckle.

  "Fine. Let's go into the living room and sit." Alex began to limp towards the door as everyone followed.

  Nikki stepped up beside her and asked, "Do you need a hand?" At her nod, she placed one arm around her waist and helped her into the house.

  Alex guided Nikki towards the office where she pointed out the gifts. "Bring that bag with you," she said as she picked up a card-sized envelope from her desk before heading out to the recliner. Nikki placed the bag on Alex's lap, and sat on the floor at her feet. As everyone settled in, she pulled a box out of the bag and handed it to Nikki. "This one is for you." She watched as she put it to her ear and gently shook it. "Open it," she urged.

  Nikki slowly tore the wrapping from the box, opened the flaps, and looked inside. She looked up at Alex with a startled expression, then looked back down and reverently pulled the glove from the box. As she turned it over in her hands, feeling the supple leather she said, "How did you…"

  Alex bit her lip nervously as Nikki's voice trailed off. "Do you like it?" she asked hesitantly.

  Nikki turned to her with a look of wonder on her face. "Yes. It's beautiful. I didn't realize how much I missed playing until just now. Do you play?"

  Alex hesitated briefly before replying. "No, not anymore. Now it's out of the question." She slowly rubbed her aching thigh. "I bet Rachel would love to play with you though." She reached into the bag and pulled out the catcher's mitt, tossing it to Rachel.

  "Oh my God, Alex. This is too much," she said as she clutched the glove to her chest.

  "No, Ray, it's not enough, but it's a start. You won't let me pay for our sessions even though you can't see anyone else on those mornings, so this is the least I can do." She pulled one of the balls from the bag and tossed it to Nikki. "Why don't you two go play catch and see how they feel?" She smiled as Nikki hopped to her feet and placed a kiss on her cheek before heading for the door. Once they were gone, she turned to Dani and held the envelope out to her. "This isn't much, but it's more than just a phone call."

  Dani shook her head and refused to take the envelope. "I was teasing, Alex. You've given me far more than I could have ever hoped for. I don't need anything else."

  She held it out again and said, "Sometimes the gift is for the giver as much as it is for the recipient. Please take it."

  Dani reached out, took the envelope, and opened it. She smiled as she read the top page, written in Alex's hand, detailing free babysitting service for two days and one night. When she looked at the second page she gasped and tears sprang to her eyes. It was a gift certificate for two days and one night at the local lakeside resort and spa. It included a three hundred dollar certificate to be used in the spa and dining facilities. She was momentarily speechless as she looked at Alex in disbelief. She wiped the moisture from her cheek and asked, "Why?"

  "Why not?" Alex looked up as Nikki and Rachel walked back into the room. Rachel hurried to Dani's side when she saw she was upset. Dani handed her the gift and watched as she read it. When Rachel looked up at her, she said, "Dani wanted to know why I would have given her such a gift. She doesn't understand the gift you have all given me."

  "What is that?" Rachel asked.

  "You and me." At Dani's look of confusion, she explained. "Because of your loving, caring personalities, my family has more than doubled, and I'm learning to live again. More than that, I'm starting to trust, something I feared I'd never be able to do." She gave Rachel and Dani a smile. "You've done something most people would never do. You've shared your most precious treasure with me, a complete stranger." She watched as Madison rubbed her eyes and looked around. Seeing that Alex was now awake, she hopped off the couch, ran up, and climbed into her lap to give her a hug. "I was wondering if you were going to wake up, piccola."

  Madison looked up at her and said, "I was scared for you, Angel. You wouldn't wake up. Aunt Nikki said you were just really tired, but I thought you were hurt again." She placed a hand on Alex's cheek. "Are you hurt?"

  "No, piccola, I'm not hurt."

  "Good. I don't want you to be hurt. I love you, Angel Alex," Madison said as she threw her arms around her again.

  Alex held her close as she fought off the tears that threatened to fall. "I love you too, Maddy." She looked up and saw that everyone was wiping tears from their eyes. She handed the little girl the last present and said, "Go give this to Mommy." Madison dutifully climbed down and carried it to Dani.

  "What's this? You've already done too much, Alex."

  "That one is not from me," she replied. "I'm just the messenger."

  Dani looked at Nikki who shook her head, looking as confused as she was. She looked up at Rachel who smiled at her and nodded. She quickly removed the paper and squealed with excitement when she saw the book. "Oh my God. How did you get this?" She jumped up from the couch and pulled her into a hug. She sat back down and immediately opened the front cover. She gasped when she saw the inscription, and slowly read it out loud.

  'Dani,

  May you find many amazing adventures with Rachel at your side. Never forget, with love, all things are possible. – AMore'

  "How did you do this?" she asked Rachel.

  She licked her lips and swallowed hard as she replied. "It turns out that one of my patients knows this author personally." She gave Dani a look of complete adoration and said, "I knew how much you really wanted to have it, and so I did what I could to get it for you. I hope you like it."

  "I love it, and I love you. Thank you so much."

  Shortly after Rachel and Dani packed Madison into the car and headed home, Alex cuddled up next to Nikki on the couch. "Tell me, mia cara, do you truly like your birthday present?"

  "I do. Thank you so much. I just wish you could join a team with me." She held her close and rested her cheek against the top of her head.

  "I know, but I think it is good for you to do this whether I'm there or not. I will try to come to some of your games, but it will really depend on my schedule." Alex placed her hand on Nikki's thigh, and began to run her fingers over the rough denim. "I have a doctor's appointment on Friday. We'll see how much progress I've made. That will determine if I'm able to work this summer. If I am, I may not be here for many of your games. I'm sorry, mia cara."

  Nikki pulled away slightly and searched her face as she asked, "What does that mean, what you call me?"

  Alex slipped out from under her arm and turned to straddle her lap. Placing a hand on either cheek, she looked deep into her eyes and asked, "Are you sure you want to know? It could be bad."

  Nikki smiled and whispered, "Yes."

  "Mia cara means my dear." She watched as Nikki slowly leaned forward and captured her lips. Alex slid one hand around her neck, and buried it in her hair, pulling her close. Nikki groaned and ran her hands up her thighs to her hips, and around to her ass, pressing into her. Alex felt herself grow heavy and wet as the heat pooled between her legs. She broke the kiss, gasping for air as she trailed kisses down the side of Nikki's neck. She felt her groan rumble up her throat, and gently bit the pulse that beat furiously in her neck. She began to suck at the pulsing bit of flesh, and felt Nikki's hips rise under her.

  Nikki grabbed a fist full of Alex's hair and pulled her from her neck. With a voice choked with desire she said, "Don't leave a mark unless you mean it." Alex struggled to clear her mind of the haze of desire. She placed one hand on each of Nikki's shoulders and took a deep breath. She slowly removed her hand from Alex's hair and waited for her to make a mo
ve.

  As Alex pulled back and climbed down from her lap, she could see the disappointment in Nikki's eyes. There was no doubt in her mind that she loved her, and it was time to tell her. She held her hand out and said, "Io sono innamorata di te."

  Nikki placed her hand in Alex's, and allowed her to pull her from the couch. "What did you just say? It sounded beautiful, but I want to hear it in English, please." She looked into her eyes and asked, "Do you trust me enough to tell me?"

  Alex pulled her close, and rested one hand over her furiously beating heart. Looking up into her eyes she said, "I said I am in love with you."

  Nikki placed her hands on Alex's hips to steady herself and asked, "What about earlier today?"

  Alex swallowed as she felt her nerves kick in. This was not the reaction she'd hoped for. "Um…" She leaned her head against her chest and closed her eyes.

  Nikki reached down and with one finger under her chin, gently lifted her face. "Please tell me, sweetheart."

  Feeling her nerves calm slightly at the term of endearment, she looked up and said, "Nicole, my dear, I'll love you till the end of time." She watched as Nikki's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I'm still afraid, but I know that I can get through anything with you by my side." She felt her nerves pick up again when Nikki didn't respond. "If…if that's where you want to be," she stammered as she stepped back. She was surprised when Nikki followed her step for step.

  "I love you, Alex." She smiled at Alex as she slowly looked up at her. "I want to grow old with you, my love." Alex clutched at her as she felt her knees begin to shake. "Are you okay?"

  "Perfect." Alex pulled her down and ran her tongue over her bottom lip. As Nikki's lips parted, she slipped her tongue inside and deepened the kiss. When they finally parted, they were both a little dazed. "Take me to bed, mia cara. I need you." The desire in Nikki's eyes was enough to make her knees weak, and her heart pound in her chest.

  "You go ahead, I'll be right behind you. I just need to make sure everything is locked up, and the alarm set." She watched Alex the entire way up the stairs before turning and making her rounds of the house, making sure everything was closed and locked, and turning lights off.

  Alex's feet slowed as they reached her bedroom door. She realized that before she could be intimate with Nikki, she needed to be honest with her. She turned on the bedside lamp, and slowly sank to the edge of the bed, waiting for her to arrive. Her palms were sweating as thoughts of anger and rejection ran through her mind.

  Nikki stepped into the room and saw Alex nervously wringing her hands as she waited. She slowly walked up to her and squatted down into her line of sight, placing one hand over hers. "It's okay, my love. We can wait if you're not ready."

  Nikki's reassurances were almost Alex's undoing. She took several deep breaths and said, "It's not that I don't want this, because I do. I love you, Nikki, and I need to be sure you understand who I am before we take this any further." She paused as she looked away, trying to gather her thoughts and calm her emotions. "There are some things I need to tell you. They may change the way you feel about me."

  Nikki slowly stood, and sat beside her. "I'm listening, but I know how I feel about you and that's not going to change."

  Alex stepped away from the bed. She needed to put a little room between them in order to think. She found that sitting that close to Nikki made it impossible to think of anything else. "I told you I lost my family when I was young, and that I don't like to talk about that time in my life." Nikki nodded. "Well I've only ever told one person what I'm about to tell you." She began to pace as the thoughts and memories ran wild. Six steps to the dresser, turn, and six steps back to the bed. After the third pass, she took a deep breath and began her story. "I was born Roberta Alexis Rossi. My father was Robert Rossi and my mother was Elizabeth Mohr-Rossi. My older sister was Raychel." As she paced she slowly told her about the abuse heaped upon her mother as witnessed by a young child. "He was a very bad man, but my mother stayed with him. I don't know why she stayed with him any more than I know why I stayed with Jo."

  Alex wiped the tears from her eyes and struggled to finish the story. She talked about that fateful day that changed her life forever. She explained how she ended up in foster care, and how she moved from home to home, the stigma of her father's name following her everywhere she went. "Then at eight I went before the judge again, and asked to change my name. Since my mother had chosen Alexis as my middle name and called me Lexi when my father wasn't home, I decided to keep it. In an effort to keep Raychel with me, I chose her name for my middle name, and I decided to use my mother's maiden name. That is when Alexis Raychel Mohr was born." As she reached the dresser, she turned and looked at Nikki, waiting for a reaction.

  Nikki wiped at the moisture on her cheeks, stunned at the information Alex had just revealed. "I am so very sorry you had to go through such horrible things, especially at such a young age. It makes the things that Dani and I went through trivial. I'm sorry that you lost your whole world in the blink of an eye." She stood and opened her arms, waiting for Alex to walk to her. "And I'm sorry your mother's family never rescued you."

  Alex looked up and saw Nikki's arms stretched open, waiting for her. "You still want me, even knowing what I am?"

  Nikki smiled lovingly as she replied. "Why wouldn't I? You didn't do those things, your father did. I didn't hear anything in your story that would make me think any less of you. Quite the contrary, it made me realize that you are even stronger than I thought. It helps me to understand some of your trust and privacy issues, but it doesn't make me want you any less."

  Alex was overcome with emotion, and quietly walked into Nikki's open arms. Her heart swelled with love as relief and happiness overwhelmed her.

  "Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me, my love." She held her close for several minutes before saying, "How about we lay down, and you let me hold you for a while?"

  Alex stepped back and smiled. She knew she had much more to tell her, but the worst of it was past her now. The rest could wait a while. "A snuggle sounds wonderful. It has been an emotionally draining day. Why don't you go get into something more comfortable while I take a quick shower and change? Unless you want to join me?"

  Nikki's eyes narrowed slightly and a lecherous leer rose to her lips as she let her eyes roam over Alex's fully clad body. "Somehow I don't believe that would be conducive to snuggling."

  Alex felt the stirrings of desire at the look on Nikki's face. "Perhaps you're right." She reached for the buttons on her shirt and quickly undid them all. She watched Nikki's eyes follow her hands as they went from button to button, and smiled. She parted the cobalt blue shirt to expose a bra nearly the same color. She let the shirt slip from her shoulders and fall to the floor, completely revealing the lace and satin scrap of material that covered her ample breasts. She watched as Nikki swallowed, and ran her tongue over her suddenly dry lips. Knowing she had her complete attention gave her a sense of control, something she hadn't felt for years. Alex stepped up into her personal space, nearly rubbing against her, and smiled seductively. Sliding her hands under her t-shirt, she caressed the soft skin underneath. "Are you sure you don't want to join me?"

  Nikki took a deep breath and released it slowly as she looked into Alex's eyes. "If you keep that up, I'm not sure we'll make it to the shower either."

  Alex reached for the hem of Nikki's shirt, and slowly began to pull it up. She smiled as she raised her arms, allowing her to remove it. It slipped through her fingers and fell to the floor as she openly admired Nikki's body. She reached out and ran one hand down the center of her chest, between her breasts, and over her abdomen to the waistband of her shorts. She could feel the muscles in Nikki's abdomen twitch and tighten as she touched her. She unbuttoned the waistband, and lowered the zipper allowing the baggy shorts to slide down over her hips to the floor. "I've been wanting to do this for a long time," she said as she began to place feather light kisses along her collarbone.

  Nikki hast
ily stepped out of her shorts and kicked them aside. She pressed her body to Alex's, and moaned as she ran her tongue under the edge of her bra between her breasts. "Oh, Alex, honey. You make me feel so good." Alex pulled back and reached for her waistband. Nikki's hand shot out and stopped her from unbuttoning them. "Please, let me."

  She nodded as she dropped her hands to her sides and waited, breathless. Nikki fell to her knees as she reached up to unhook her pants and slowly slide them down her legs. She helped her step out of them, and quickly removed her brace before standing and leading her to the side of the bed. As she leaned down to kiss her, Alex slid one hand into the hair at the nape of her neck while the other went around her waist.

  As they kissed, Alex moved her hand from Nikki's waist to the clasp of her bra. With a quick snapping motion of her thumb and middle finger, she deftly unhooked it. She pulled back from the kiss and removed the garment, allowing her gaze to travel over the freshly exposed skin. "You are so beautiful," she whispered as she reverently placed a kiss between the full breasts. She turned her head and flicked her tongue across a hardening nipple, and smiled at Nikki's sharply indrawn breath. She dropped to one knee, and slipped her fingers under the waistband of her briefs, slowly pulling them down and tossing them aside. She ran her hands up the outsides of Nikki's thighs as she leaned closer, allowing her breath to brush across her already heated skin. She inhaled deeply and smiled, as she smelled the proof of her desire.

  Nikki gasped and grabbed a fistful of Alex's hair, pulling her closer as she steadied herself on shaking legs. She reached her other hand out and found the edge of the bed, gently lowering herself as she looked into her desire filled eyes. "I need you," she said and watched as Alex placed a hand on either knee.

  "I want to take it slow, tasting and touching every part of you, and make it last. But I don't think I can do that right now," Alex said, her voice gruff with desire. As she leaned forward to kiss the skin just above her hand, Nikki spread her legs, allowing her full access. "I need you too much."