Chapter VII

Before I take you back to present day Charisma Tagherty, I think I need fill in a few of the blanks.

When Brianna and Charisma returned to the States, Brianna took steps to distance herself from Charisma.  The first involved a visit to the Tagherty home as soon as she knew Charisma was in Washington.

************

Okasa opened the door at Brianna’s knock, a wide, welcoming smile on her face as she ushered the younger woman inside.  “Brianna… this is an unexpected surprise.  Come in, come in,” opening her arms for a hug.  Brianna was happy to oblige, holding onto Okasa tightly and rocking her gently.  Okasa felt the trembling in Brianna’s frame and pulled back slightly so she could look the younger woman in the eye.  “Brianna?  What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

Brianna took a deep breath and steadied herself.  She had sworn she wouldn’t cry, but she’d never expected it to hurt this much.  “Can we sit down?”

“Of course, of course.  Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, thank you, Mama O.  I’m not going to be here very long.  I just… I came to say goodbye.”

Okasa blinked.  “Um… okay.  Where are you going and when will you be back?” heart sinking at the look in Brianna’s eyes.  She suddenly understood what Brianna was saying, but she shook her head against the truth she knew was coming.

“I’m not coming back, Mama O.”

Okasa took Brianna by the arm and seated her on the couch, immediately taking a place beside her.  She covered Brianna’s hands and gazed at her for a long moment, seeing an aching sadness peering back at her.  “Talk to me, Little Bri.  What’s going on?”

“Nothing’s going on, Mama.  It’s just time for me to grow up and I can’t….”  She trailed off when Okasa shook her head furiously.

“Don’t lie to me, Brianna Walker.  I know how you feel about Charisma.  I’ve seen it in your eyes... in your actions.  And I know how she feels about you.”

“Then you know why I have to do this, Okasa.”

“No I don’t.  What you have....”

“What we have Charisma will never acknowledge.  She can’t... not and be the person she needs to be for her own peace of mind.”

“What about her happiness?”

“I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive.  But I’m not willing to hang around and watch her pull away and become more distant because I can no longer hide how I feel.  Or worse, have her continue on with her life acting as though nothing is different.  I love her, Mama, but I’m not going to become a martyr because of it.”

“Brianna, you’re not being fair.  You’re not giving her the chance to choose.”

“Okasa, I’m not disappearing from the face of the planet.  If she wants to find me, she’ll be able to.  I’m just taking myself out of the mainstream of her life.”

“I’ll talk to he....”

“NO!  No, Okasa. You and Patrick and the boys have to stay out of this.  I mean it - stay out of this or I will disappear.  She figures things out on her own or she doesn’t - either way it needs to be her decision.”

“If we stay out of it, you’ll keep in touch?”

“Yes.”  Brianna took a deep breath and Okasa could see exactly what the decision was costing her.  She silently cursed the foolishness and folly of youth but marveled at Brianna’s determination.  “I don’t want to lose any of you, Mama O.  You’ve become more my family than my family ever was.  I’m just can’t stand in her way, Mama, and I don’t know how much longer I can pretend.”

“Can I ask what changed?  Brianna, you were roommates for four years.  You just spent three months in each other’s back pockets touring around Europe.”

“Exactly - I just spent three months coming to the realization that I can never have the one thing… the one person… that makes me happy despite everything.  I need some space from her, Mama.”

“And once you have the space?”

“I can learn how to be happy without her.”

“And if she comes looking for you?”

Brianna couldn’t stop the tears from coming to her eyes, but she kept them from rolling down her face.  She smiled sadly, biting her lip before shaking her head at Okasa.  “She won’t, Okasa.”

“You’re sure.”

“Yeah.  She loves me, but she can’t love me.  So she’ll let me go.  It makes everything easier.”

“I think you’re wrong.”

“I hope you’re right, Mama O.”

************

Of course, Brianna was right.  But she was also true to her word and kept in touch with the Tagherty family, spending time with them when Charisma wasn’t around.  It was sometimes difficult trying coordinate their schedules, but when it became clear that Brianna had been correct about Charisma’s reaction, Okasa was determined to ensure Brianna didn’t lose touch with them.

At Okasa’s request and because she couldn’t seem to walk away completely, Brianna sent cards and letters to Charisma in care of Okasa.  She trusted Mama O not to open them but to give them to Charisma if the day ever came that she asked after Brianna - or if the right set of circumstances ever presented themselves.  Okasa kept them in a locked box in her closet, hoping that one day Charisma would talk about Brianna or ask if Okasa ever heard from her.  But she never did.

So while the Tagherty family shared their lives and holidays with Charisma, they also made an effort to do the same with Brianna.  Without Charisma’s presence they celebrated holidays and birthdays together on odd weekends, and Brianna fell more in love with the family she had come to appreciate as her own.  Sometimes it hurt so much to be with them, but Brianna treasured the time she was able to spend with them.

And so life went on.

Brianna finished law school at the top of her class and was immediately snapped up by the most prestigious firm in the city.  She spent inordinate amounts of time making a name for herself, and soon she was as respected and feared outside of the courtroom as much as she was in it.  When the District Attorney approached her to join his office, she chuckled wryly.  “Are you sure you want to work with someone from the dark side?”

He laughed, appreciating her cutting sense of humor in a way that many didn’t understand.  “Ms Walker, if I could lure you from the dark side, I wouldn’t be facing you across the aisle in the courtroom.  What better incentive could I possibly need?”

“And what’s in it for me?  I am exceptionally good at what I do and I am paid very lucratively for it.  Why would I want to give it all up to become a public servant?”

“Because beneath that cutthroat demeanor beats the heart of a poet.  I read the play you produced in college,” he continued in answer to her startled look.  “It was exceptional.”  He cleared his throat.  “You have an eighty-six percent win ratio in court; ninety-seven if you include the deals made outside it.  With those stats, you could have my job in a few years if you really wanted it.  And you could use it as a stepping stone to other, bigger things - judge, state representative, even Congress.”

The mention of Washington made her eye twitch slightly and the man watching her didn’t miss her reaction.  But he hadn’t gotten to his position by being stupid; he knew when to push and when to back off.  “Think about it, Ms Walker.  You could do great things.”

Brianna didn’t take his offer immediately.  She had no desire to do more than be the best lawyer she could; she certainly had no desire to end up in Washington - not with all the effort she’d put into staying out of Charisma Tagherty’s life.  Still the District Attorney was persistent and eventually Brianna gave in, becoming a rising star in his office before being appointed by him as his successor.  That was when she started to really come into her own.

Meanwhile Charisma had done her internship in Washington, making a number of contacts and impressing the hell out of those she came in contact with.  It didn’t take long for the party to take notice of her and soon they were grooming her for a position in Congress.

Charisma missed Brianna’s presence in her life, but she had reconciled herself to the fact that for whatever reason, Brianna had said goodbye forever when she’d walked out of her life at the end of their trip.  She’d decided to wait for Brianna to contact her again, not delving too deeply into the reason she was willing to let Brianna go so easily.

She wanted to ask her mother about Brianna - sure in the depths of her being that Okasa would never allow Brianna to simply leave the family no matter what excuse she used.  But Charisma had no desire to have her mother question the reasons behind her estrangement from Brianna - not sure she had answers to share and unwilling to look deep enough to find anything that might satisfy Okasa.

So Charisma went along - making time for her family on holidays and birthdays, but otherwise keeping to Washington until it came time for her to start stumping for a seat in the House of Representatives.  Then she schmoozed her way across the state, collecting votes and support as she went, and when all was said and done the Honorable Charisma Tagherty was a junior congresswoman in the House of Representatives.

“So how do you like being a hotshot Congressional Representative, sis?  Everything you thought it’d be?”

“Eh,” pinching the bridge of her nose.  “It’s not the Presidency, but it’s a start.”

Her brothers laughed.  “Figures you’d want to start at the top.  Does it at least keep you busy?”

“Yes, Hunter.  That would be why we have to schedule time together,” Charisma replied dryly.  The brothers exchanged glances, knowing that wasn’t the only reason they had to schedule time with Charisma.  They each wanted so badly to say something… anything… to Charisma about Brianna.  But Okasa had given them strict orders not to, and none of them were stupid enough to go against Mama.

Time passed and Charisma’s responsibilities in Congress took more and more of her time.  When it came time for re-election after her third term, Charisma surprised everyone including her family by declaring her intention to run for the Senate instead.  And she won by a landslide.

That was when her life started to change.

************

I’m going to show you something - something I think you need to see instead of me just filling in the blanks to bring you up to speed.  If we had the time, I’d prefer to show you everything - from both Charisma’s and Brianna’s lives from the moment they separated at the airport up to this point.  But we don’t - I’m on a schedule and I can’t make that kind of investment just to satisfy your curiosity for detail.

However I do need to show you the next bit of excerpts to get you to the same page I’m on.  And I need you to understand the importance of what I’ve told you so far.

When Charisma first arrived in Washington, she was young and single and for the most part, idealistic.  Of course that last bit didn’t last very long - it couldn’t if she wanted to become a real player on the political stage.  But she had a good mentor… someone who taught her the ins and outs of life in the political arena that is the Nation’s capital.  So by the time she became a representative, Charisma Tagherty was quite a force to be reckoned with.

Charisma was smart and she had learned from the best.  She kept her nose clean and made a name for herself - sponsoring bills and making impassioned speeches that attracted voters and congressmen alike to her fold.  And all was well for a time, because you just can’t argue with success.

As the end of her first tenure as a senator approached, however, people started to talk.  You see Charisma Tagherty was a wildly successful woman that employed only women.  Not that this fact in and of itself was a matter for gossip and speculation.  As Charisma herself was so fond of pointing out, there was absolutely no reason she shouldn’t give other competent, successful women the chance to earn equal pay and establish a reputation for excellence.  Because let’s face it - when someone of Charisma Tagherty’s caliber recommended your work, others tended to sit up and take notice.

No… where the difficulty arose was that Charisma Tagherty was not only a wildly successful woman, but she was a wildly successful *single* woman.  A single woman who seemed to have little or no time to dedicate to finding the right man and settling down as her peers had already done.

Oh, don’t get me wrong - she dated if you could call it that.  Hooked up with influential men by well-meaning friends and occasionally escorted to events by a friend of one or another of her brothers or by her brothers themselves.  Unfortunately except where her brothers and their friends were concerned, most of the men she was introduced to either simply wanted to bed her or desired her to be a wife and mother first and foremost.  The friends knew better - they had been warned ahead of time and knew the score.

And although Charisma’s biological clock had started ticking rather loudly as she approached her fortieth birthday, none of the men she dated were willing to accept a second or third place role in her life.  As far as she was concerned, none of them were worth giving up her career for.

So the rumors started flying - about her frigidness; her unwillingness to settle; her demand for perfection and her concern for image.  Then of course were the rumors about her girls - the women she employed for everything from household chores and landscaping to her personal assistant and office workers.

It infuriated her - she had worked so hard to maintain a sterling reputation in both her private and personal lives and suddenly she was under attack for not adhering to someone else’s goals for her life.  Finally she had enough and took off one weekend to talk to her father.

************

“Well, well,” Patrick drawled out his brogue, pulling a smile from Charisma’s face.  “What brings Senator Tagherty to my humble abode?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye - a twinkle that diminished when he noted the sadness lurking in her blue eyes.  “What’s wrong, Princess?”

She followed him into his study, but where he took a seat in front of the fireplace, Charisma continued walking until she was looking down into the darkened fireplace.  “I think it is time for me to find a husband,” she stated bluntly.  “There are things being said that could destroy my career.”

“Are they true?” watching her head jerk up.  He saw her eyes shutter and he wondered at the secrets she was keeping from herself before they pinned him in place.

“I am going to pretend you didn’t just ask me that,” she replied, keeping her voice low and even.  “You know me better than that.”

“Well, since you haven’t shared with me what any of these rumors are, how am I supposed to know, Baby Girl?  Obviously they are bothering you or you wouldn’t be here making pronouncements about needing to get married right this instant.”  She slumped just slightly and Patrick patted the seat beside him.  “C’mon and tell your old man what’s going on, Charisma.  I can’t help you until I know.”

So Charisma told him - of her non-existent dating life; of the strong women she surrounded herself with; of the stories and rumors that were going around because she did not fit the congressional definition of family values.  When she was done she blew out a frustrated breath and looked at Patrick desperately.

“So what do I do?”

Patrick chewed his lip carefully, knowing any advice he gave could turn the tide in a number of directions.  “The real question is - what do you want to do?  Are you ready to commit to someone and settle down for the rest of your life?  Do you want a husband and family?”

“I’d like a baby,” she answered without hesitation.  “I always saw a child in my future and if I wait much later….”

“Lots of women your age and even older are giving birth now, Charisma.  There shouldn’t be any urgency influencing your decision on that account.  However, you do need a husband first.  Despite what your constituents do or do not do as far as matrimony and wedlock is concerned, they expect you to be a moral example.  And frankly your mother would kill you if you didn’t marry before you had a child.”  Charisma laughed, knowing Patrick spoke the truth.  “So the question remains - what do you want to do?”

Charisma sighed then gazed at Patrick unflinching.  “I need to find a husband - someone who will like me for who I am and not for who they want me to be for them.  Someone who will be willing to take a backseat to my career.”

“And love?”

“Not a real priority at the moment, Daddy, though I would like to like them too.  Maybe someone who can make me laugh.”

Patrick bit his lip.  This was shaping up to be a disaster.

************

It wasn’t really a disaster.  Kent Rockwell met all of Charisma’s qualifications and then some.  He was handsome, well mannered, wealthy enough to dabble in the theatre without having to dedicate himself to it to earn a living and good enough to do the occasional gig that interested him.  He made her laugh and he understood from the outset that he would never be as important in her life as her career was and he was content with that.  He liked her - found her fascinating... knowledgeable about a great many things and passionate about the things she cared about.

They discussed it quite calmly and decided that it would be in their mutual best interests to wed.  She would give him a wife his mother would accept and appreciate and he in turn would not only quell the rumors surrounding her but also add stability to her life and reputation.

So it was agreed upon, and Charisma brought Kent home to meet the family.  And oh… wasn’t that an interesting day in the life of the Tagherty family.


Chapter VIII

Charisma had gotten in touch with her parents to let them know she was bringing someone home with her and was more than a little surprised when not only were her brothers and their families not present, but her folks had not gone to any trouble to have anything prepared.  A frown crossed Charisma’s face when Okasa opened the door and sedately welcomed them into her home.

“Mama, where’s the family?” Charisma asked as she embraced her mother briefly before pulling back to look Okasa in the eye.  “I’ve brought someone I wanted everyone to meet,” motioning to the man who stood discretely behind her.

“Your father is in the den,” Okasa said with a wave of her hand in that general direction.  “I thought….” trailing off without finishing her sentence.  “It doesn’t matter,” she continued without blinking at the man who was waiting for acknowledgment.  She graciously extended her hand to him, inviting him into her home.  He shook it gently and accepted her invitation, following her inside and waiting for Charisma to introduce him.

“Mama, I’d like you to meet Kent Rockwell… my fiancé.”

Okasa smiled at the handsome man though it never quite reached her eyes.  “How do you do, Mr. Rockwell?  This is an unexpected surprise.”

“Though not an unwelcome one, I hope,” he replied.  “And please call me Kent.”

“Well then, Kent… please come in,” leading them both towards the den where Patrick was currently ensconced.  “I’m Okasa and Charisma’s father is Patrick though the girls all call us Papa Paddy and Mama O if you think you’d be comfortable with that.  Patrick?” calling out as they reached the door.  She opened it without waiting for his response and ushered the two younger people inside in front of her.

Patrick looked up from his desk, then bade someone goodbye before hanging up the phone.  He rose to greet them, taking Charisma in his arms and rocking her for a long moment before releasing her and looking her over with a jaundiced eye.  With a faint nod he turned his attention to the man who had accompanied her.

Kent stepped forward on his own this time, extending a hand and waiting for Patrick to take his measure.  “My name is Kent Rockwell, sir.”

“He is my fiancé, Daddy,” Charisma cut in before Kent could say anything more.

Surprise flashed through Patrick’s eyes though it was gone so quickly Charisma wondered if she had imagined it.  Without hesitating he accepted Kent’s hand, shaking it firmly and smiling slightly at the firm strength he found there.

“Can I offer you as drink, son?” giving Okasa the slightest nod.  She took Charisma’s elbow to lead her from the room.  Charisma didn’t refuse but arched an eyebrow in question.

“We’ll just go get some dinner started,” Okasa stated as she eased them from the room.  Charisma followed without comment, smiling as they walked the familiar hallways to the large kitchen until one particular picture caught her peripheral vision.  She quickly turned away from the photograph and hurriedly crossed the threshold of the kitchen behind Okasa, running from the memories it and the crystal frame that surrounded it brought back.  Okasa cocked her head and glanced at her briefly before opening the refrigerator door.

“Everything all right, Baby Girl?”

“Hmm?  Oh… yes - fine, Mama.”

“You sure?  You came in here like the hounds of hell were on your heels and there’s a frown putting deep creases in your forehead.  Shouldn’t you be happy?”

“I am happy, Mama.  But where is everyone?”

“I don’t know, Charisma.  Did you let them know they needed to be here?”

“No.  I figured when I told you I was bringing someone home, you would have let them know.  I just assumed you understood what that meant.  I expected some excitement… something.  I mean, here I am after thirty-seven years finally bringing someone home to meet the folks.”

Okasa shook her head and proceeded to get out her largest stew pot even as she directed Charisma to begin cutting up vegetables.  Charisma didn’t even hesitate; here in this house she was Okasa’s daughter… not a United States Senator.  There was no way she was going to let her mother down by not helping prepare the meal they would soon share.

“You’ve brought people home before, Baby Girl.”

“Not like this… and not in a very long time,” her voice dropping to a whisper at the last.

Okasa bit her lip to keep the questions she wanted to ask about Brianna from escaping - as Brianna had been the last person Charisma had brought home for the family to meet.  Instead she cleared her throat and asked about Kent with all the enthusiasm she could muster.  “So… tell me about your young man.  Where did you meet?  What does he do?  How long have you known him?”

Charisma smiled though her eyes didn’t twinkle.  Okasa wondered what on earth Charisma had gotten herself into.  “Mama, only you would refer to a grown man like Kent as young.  We were introduced several months ago by a mutual friend at a party in Washington.  Kent is from a wealthy family so he doesn’t have a singular interest.  He does some acting, some investing, some traveling….”

Charisma sighed when Okasa’s eyes narrowed.  She’d known that tidbit wasn’t going to go over well.  Her parents firmly believed in a strong work ethic and Kent’s genteel manner would not make up for the fact that he was essentially a playboy.  Still she forged ahead.  “We like a lot of the same things… we have a lot in common.  He’s bright, funny… he makes me laugh.  I like him.”

“You like him,” Okasa repeated flatly.  “You’re engaged to marry this man, ready to commit your life to him and bring him into the family, and all you can say is you like him?”

“You don’t think it’s important to like the per… man you’re going to marry?”

Okasa took Charisma into her arms and met her eyes squarely.  “Charisma, of course I do,” not commenting on Charisma’s slip of the tongue.  She was a grown woman after all - capable of making and living with her mistakes.  “If your Daddy and I hadn’t liked each other tremendously, the love we’ve shared for the last forty-something years wouldn’t have been enough to carry us through any number of tough situations we lived through.”  Okasa sighed and looked away for a long moment before bringing her eyes back to meet Charisma’s.  “But Baby Girl, simply liking someone isn’t necessarily a good foundation for creating a life together.”

“The love will come, Mama.”

“And if it doesn’t?  Will it be enough, Charisma?”

“It will have to be, Mama.  At least he’s a good man who comes from a good family.  He’ll be a good partner… a good father.”

Okasa held Charisma’s gaze for a long moment before finally nodding her agreement.  “All right, Baby Girl.  I just hope you know what you’re doing.”  Then she turned back to her preparations.  Charisma sighed and shook her head.  It could have gone a lot better… and a lot worse.

************

“So, Kent…” Patrick said motioning the younger man to a seat in front of the fireplace before moving from behind his desk and over towards the bar.  “What’s your pleasure?”

“Whatever you’re having is fine, sir.  Personally, I like a good Scotch.”

“Glenlivet?”

“That would be great, sir… thank you.”

Patrick poured three fingers’ worth into a glass and passed it to Kent.  Then he poured something else for himself and took the seat opposite.  He smiled.  “I prefer an Irish Whiskey myself.”  He tilted his glass in Kent’s direction. 

Kent nodded his head and raised his glass.  “To new beginnings.”

Each man took a swallow of his chosen alcohol, taking one another’s measure.  Then Patrick cleared his throat.  “Tell me about yourself, Kent.  You’ll forgive an old man his bluntness, but this is the first we’ve heard about you.  It’d be nice to know a little bit about you before you marry my only daughter.”

Kent smiled easily.  “Yes sir.  I guess it must have been something of a shock.”

“My boy, you’re a master of understatement.  So…?”

Kent chuckled and launched into his personal history, telling Patrick about his family and his childhood.  He told anecdotes that made Patrick chuckle with the telling and went on about his interests.  From there he told Patrick how he and Charisma had met, what they had in common and how they had come to be engaged.

“So she proposed to you, hmm?”

“Not exactly… well, she suggested it first, and we talked and decided it was a good idea.  I’ll admit it was something of a surprise when she brought it up.  I mean… I always thought we were a good match, and my mother loves her.  But I didn’t realize she was ready to settle down.  I know how important Charisma’s career is to her; it comes first.  Otherwise I’d have already asked her.”

Patrick nodded, hearing what was said as well as what wasn’t.  But unlike Okasa with Charisma, he didn’t really know the man currently sitting in front of him and he had no way of knowing just how honest with Kent Charisma had actually been.  So he tried a little more subtle approach.

“So you’re happy together?”

“Yes, sir.  And we have so much in common; we like many of the same things.  Charisma and I have fun together and we enjoy each other’s company.  We’re friends first.”

Patrick smiled.  “That sounds very much like Okasa and me.  We were friends who liked each other long before we ever fell in love with one another.  It’s made our lives together and our marriage a much smoother journey.”

“To smoother journeys,” Kent said raising his glass again.

“And a long life together,” Patrick agreed.

************

After a short and pointed argument that Okasa won due to Kent’s agreement and capitulation - Mama, I’m thirty-seven years old and we’re engaged for God’s sakes!  That is not the point, Charisma… this is still my house, and in my house only married couples share a room and a bed.  You knew that.  It was that way with your brothers and I’m not changing it for you despite your age and position.  Honey, it’s all right.  It won’t hurt us to respect the rules your mother set up.  We’ll probably do the same thing to our kids one day - everyone was finally settled into bed for the night.

“Well,” Patrick drawled looking over his glasses at Okasa as she climbed under the cover and picked up her book.  “That was interesting.”

“Which part?” Okasa asked drolly.  “The part where Charisma sprang a fiancé on us?  The one where I realized this is a disaster in the making?  Or the part where Kent agreed with me to keep the peace in the house even though Charisma will be in a snit about it for days where he is concerned?”

Patrick’s eyebrows rose into his hairline.  “Well when you put it that way… maybe we should start at the beginning.  We obviously had some serious differences in our day.  I think we need to compare notes.”

“Where would you like to start?  Surely you weren’t aware she was bringing a fiancé home??”

“No… not at all.  I thought… I mean I was hoping when she said she was bringing someone home….”  Patrick trailed off, knowing Okasa knew where he was headed with his train of thought.

“So was I, Paddy.  I really expected Brianna….”  Okasa cleared her throat and spoke quietly.  “So you got to talk to him alone.  What do you think of Kent Rockwell?”

“I think Charisma chose him for several reasons - he’s nice looking, has a good family background, apparently is well off enough not to have to do anything seriously and he obviously cares for her.”  Patrick hesitated then continued.  “Charisma suggested marriage to him… not the other way around.  She even had the ring.”

Okasa’s head whipped around so fast Patrick heard the bones in her neck pop.  “Excuse me?”

“You heard me, Old Woman.  Charisma did the proposing and purchased the ring she wanted him to give her.”

Okasa shook her head.  “What is that girl thinking?”

“She’s a grown woman, Love.”

“Then she needs to act like it!”  Okasa blew out a frustrated breath trying to bring her emotions under control.  “Honestly, Paddy… this is one screwed up pickle of a mess.  Charisma admitted to me that she doesn’t love him,” she said in a near whisper, not wanting this conversation to carry.

“She said that?”

Okasa nodded.  “She likes him - thinks he will make a good husband and father.  But love doesn’t fit into the equation - not right now at least.  She hopes it will eventually, but it doesn’t seem to be a priority for her.”  She bit her lip in thought.  “Obviously Charisma had her mind set to get married and Kent Rockwell fit the criteria she was looking for in an acceptable husband.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised.  I knew she was looking.  I didn’t know she was so determined.”

“What do you mean you knew she was looking?”  Okasa turned to face him again and crossed her arms over her chest.  “How did you know she was looking??”

“She told me.  When she came to see me several months ago - I told you about her visit remember… you were working that day.  She informed me that it was time for her to find a husband.  Apparently there were some folks in Washington - hell, maybe they were here, I dunno - that were making noise about the fact that she was still unmarried and pretty much without prospects.”

Okasa frowned.  “She may be unmarried, but she’s never been without prospects, Patrick Tagherty.”

“I am well aware of that, me love.  I am simply telling you of the rumors that were flying around.  They disturbed Charisma enough she decided to do something about them.  She decided to find a husband.”

“Of all the…” Okasa broke off before she could launch into a tirade.  “So what do we do now?”

Patrick pulled his glasses off and set them aside before sliding down and reaching for the light.  Okasa followed his example and they faced one another in the nearly dark room.  He sighed and she waited, then he took her hand in his and sighed again.

“We do what we’ve always done, Okasa.  We watch and pray.”

“I was afraid you were gonna say that.”

************

The following day Okasa called the boys and their families to come over and meet the newest member of the clan.  And while they were welcoming and cordial enough so that Kent felt comfortable, Charisma recognized their distance and coolness.  So when the girls pulled Kent into the kitchen to grill him about the details of their romance they knew Charisma wouldn’t share with them, Charisma took the boys to task.

“What the hell is wrong with you three?”  They stared at her unflinching though none of them spoke up to answer her question.  She gazed into the crackling fireplace to regain her composure before meeting each of their eyes squarely.  “I know you don’t like Kent - what I don’t understand is why.  You don’t even know him.  Don’t you think you should give him a chance first?”

The boys exchanged glances before Hunter, as the eldest, stepped up to speak for all of them.  “We have nothing against Kent, Chari.  He seems like a pretty decent guy and he seems to be gone on you.”

“So what’s your issue then?  Why are you treating him like he has the plague?”  Silence.  Charisma felt the anger blossom in her chest and she looked at them with hard eyes.  “Why??  I deserve an answer.”

The boys exchanged long looks this time, reminding Charisma of their growing up years when they were trying to keep things from her.  Before she could call them on it Hunter spoke again.  “Because anyone with half an eye can see you don’t feel the same.”  He paused then plowed forward, hoping his mother would forgive him for his next words.  “Because he isn’t Brianna!”

Charisma sucked in air like she’d been sucker-punched, then straightened and turned and left the room without another word to any of them.  They stayed behind for another minute, waiting for Okasa to show up to ream them for bringing up Brianna’s name in front of Charisma, but as the minutes passed they realized she wasn’t going to.  Did she not know?  Or did it not matter now that Charisma was engaged to marry Kent?

The three left the study and returned to the family room where everyone else was gathered.  The visiting continued as though the incident in the study had never happened.  Charisma was well versed in the art of politics and knew how to put on a game face for the world.  Not that it fooled her brothers, but it was enough to get through the visit and convince the family that despite whatever doubts and misgivings they felt about the situation, Charisma was not unhappy about her decision to wed.  Even the boys could see that.

So the nuptials came and went.  It was a small, intimate affair - only family and the very closest of friends were invited.  And not long after she and Kent were settled into married life, Charisma announced she was expecting.

************

Despite all the misgivings that was actually a happy occasion in the Tagherty household.  Okasa and Patrick had been waiting a long time to welcome a grandchild from Charisma and the boys and their wives were equally excited.  And that excitement went a long way towards healing the anger Charisma felt towards her brothers for their attitude towards Kent… especially since she knew their reaction was honest.  She really couldn’t stay mad when they were only looking out for her no matter how misguided their concern.

Adam was born on summer solstice - the longest day of the year.  Charisma swore he brought sunshine into her life.  And if everything wasn’t perfect, Adam made her remember the good things in her life.  And so life went, bringing us to the present point in time.


Chapter IX

Let me catch you up a little more, because there are a few things you need to understand before we pick up our story in the present day. 

Their marriage, while it made Kent’s mother ecstatic, quickly became a thing of convenience for both of them though to anyone looking from the outside they are happy enough.  Like many of their peers, they have separate careers and in some ways, separate lives, but on the occasions they are together they present a united, happy front.

Now don’t misunderstand me, Kent does love Charisma in his own way, but it soon became apparent to him that she does not return his affection to the same degree.  She does care for him, but she sees him as a friend and a father to her son - not a husband or a lover.  And it isn’t something he knows how to overcome.

While sex is not non-existent between them, it is performed more as a duty than a pleasure.  Once Charisma became pregnant there was even less of an obligation between them.  And when Adam was born the expectation between them slipped even farther.

Charisma spends her time between Washington and her home state; Kent divides his time between being a house-husband and father in Washington and an actor working in Manhattan.  Once or twice Charisma has made an effort to support her husband’s career by attending a production but by and large, he leads his life and she leads hers.

As for Adam - he stays with Charisma.  Kent takes care of him when he is in Washington, but when he leaves to go work in Manhattan Adam is strictly Charisma’s son. 

That brings us back to the present.  Hopefully from here on out, you can see things in real time.  Now I don’t know how things will go precisely, but one of the cool things about being a guardian angel means I can see the possibilities.  So hold onto your horses - this promises to be a bumpy ride.

************

Esmeralda quietly cleaned the office, conscious of the two individuals resting on the couch just a few feet away.  When she was finished Esmeralda crossed back over to the couch and gently touched Charisma’s shoulder, watching the blue eyes open alertly and gaze at her in confusion for a brief moment before clearing.

“Es?” Charisma whispered, one hand cupping her son’s back while the other pushed the hair from her eyes.  “What time is it?”

“Late,” Esmeralda returned.  “I was just getting ready to leave.”

Charisma reached out a hand and Esmeralda took the hint, helping Charisma to sit up without losing the hold she had on her sleeping son.  Then she pushed her hair back from her face, frowning as she tried to find a semblance of coherent wakefulness.  Without seeming to impose, Esmeralda scooped Adam from Charisma’s arms, giving her the opportunity to stand and gather her things together.

Charisma watched them for a long moment, smiling at the precious picture they made.  Adam had always been shy around strangers - very particular about whom he let in his personal space even as a baby.  And yet seemingly without effort, Esmeralda had charmed Adam so quickly he was actually squealing in laughter.  Charisma smiled sympathetically.

“You must have some sort of magic,” Charisma commented softly as she crossed the room to collect her purse and jacket as well as Adam’s things.  “He’s never warmed up to anyone so quickly.  It took three days before Kent could hold him without Adam screaming bloody murder, and he’s Adam’s father.”  Charisma chuckled.  “We figured out it was the scent of greasepaint and the theatre that seemed to bother him.  Once Kent came home and immediately took a shower before coming near him, Adam stopped wailing like a banshee.”  She brushed her hair back again and smiled at the joyful expression on Esmeralda’s face.

“Children and babies love me,” Es confided, cooing at Adam while gently rocking him back to sleep. Charisma watched amazed as her son’s eyes closed again.

“Obviously,” she agreed. “I think you’re in the wrong line of work.”  A beat. “Do you and Saphira have children?”

Esmeralda shook her head.  “No,” she said sadly.  “Neither of us is able to have children and because of who and what we are to one another, we can’t adopt.  But there’s a reason for everything, Charisma.  I think I’m right where I need to be.”

Charisma gazed speculatively at her for a long moment.  “Maybe you are,” she muttered mostly to herself though Esmeralda clearly understood her.  She picked up the receiver and called for her car.  “Can I offer you a lift… home?”

Esmeralda smiled and shook her head, easily transferring the toddler in her arms back into his mother’s embrace.  Then she moved to collect her cart.  “As nice as that sounds, I still need to put away my things and I don’t want to hold you up.  You need to get your little guy to bed and it wouldn’t hurt you to get a little rest as well,” she scolded, opening the door and motioning for Charisma to go in front of her.  “Besides,” Esmeralda added as she pushed her cleaning cart through the door and turned to lock it behind her, “I’m not going home.”

Charisma smiled.  “Late night date with your lady, then?”

Esmeralda smiled bashfully. “Something like that.  Her shift at the diner will be over by the time I get there and we’ll go home together.”

“I can still drop you….” Charisma started, but stopped when the blonde head shook negatively.

“Not that I don’t appreciate it, Charisma, because I do… more than I can make you understand.  And I promise you’ll get to meet her soon.  You let me know when’s good for you and we’ll make it happen.  But trust me when I tell you it’s better for you not to do this for me right now.”

Charisma’s face hardened.  “Oh… I see.  You want to be some sort of reverse snob,” she said, but Esmeralda cut her off before she could continue.

“Don’t, Charisma - you know better,” Es replied fiercely.  “But can you really afford to be seen in a government vehicle riding around at this time of night with an out lesbian who happens to be part of the janitorial staff in your Senate building?  Regardless of the fact that you’d be taking me to meet my mate, I don’t think your constituents would take too kindly to it despite the fact that there really is nothing more untoward about it than you offering someone less fortunate a bit of consideration.  You’ve worked too long and too hard to establish the reputation you have to throw it away on an unnecessary kindness.”

“I’m sorry, Es - you’re right.  I don’t know why I’m so raw today.  But you shouldn’t be catching the brunt of my pissiness.”  She paused.  “Is there such a thing… as unnecessary kindness, I mean?”

“In this case, yes.”  Esmeralda unlocked the janitorial closet and pushed her cart in, taking care to restock just as she did every night even though she was still very aware of Charisma’s presence.  “It’s been a long day for you and Adam - you should focus on getting the two of you home and settled.  I’ll be all right, Charisma; I promise.  I do this every night.  In fact,” she added as she exited the closet and locked it behind her, “it would probably freak Saphira out if your car pulled up in front of the diner at this time of night with no warning.  She’d think something bad had happened to me.”

Charisma nodded - she hadn’t thought of it like that before and she knew without asking that neither of them had cell phones.  “But you promise I’ll get to meet her soon?  And that you’ll be okay walking there by yourself?  I know I sound paranoid - I guess I never really considered….”

“I promise, Charisma.  You get me a date and time that will work for you and we’ll arrange something.  And I’ll be fine - I’ve got a guardian angel watching over me,” rubbing the tiny pin attached to her blouse

“I wish I had one of those,” Charisma mumbled.

“I’m sure you do, Senator,” motioning the other woman ahead of her as they approached the garage.  Esmeralda held the door for Charisma to slip through with Adam, then followed behind her.  “But here,” removing the pin and carefully sticking it on Charisma’s jacket.  “Now you have a visible reminder.”

“Oh Es,” Charisma protested.  “I can’t take this from you.  It’s your guardian angel.”

Esmeralda smiled and Charisma was overwhelmed by the sheer radiance of it.  “No, Charisma.  It is merely a reminder.  My guardian angel is a little more ethereal than the pin and she sticks pretty close.”

“She, huh?”

“In most cases, yes.  I think the male angels are busy posturing and talking politics and completely missing the big picture around them… no offense.”

Charisma couldn’t stop the laughter that welled up at the assessment and she slid into her vehicle still chuckling.  Esmeralda held the door until Charisma got Adam settled in his car seat and turned back to look at her.  “Thank you, Es - for being such a good friend.  Most would have taken my bitchiness personally.  Be safe tonight, all right?”

Esmeralda nodded.  “See you tomorrow night, Senator Tagherty.” 

Charisma rolled her eyes and shook her head with a smile before sitting back and letting Esmeralda shut the door firmly behind her.  Esmeralda patted the roof and the driver pulled off.  She stood and watched the car out of sight, nodding in approval when Amber took up the job of looking out for them.  Then she turned and headed out of the garage, anxious to meet Saphira at the diner.

************

Sorry… cutting in again very briefly to explain something.  What I said was true - most guardian angels don’t do the protection gig.  There aren’t enough of us to do that for every single person on the planet twenty-four/seven/three-sixty-five.  But when a complete fubar like this one is thrown at the clean-up detail, we have a little more leeway and can call upon whatever resources we need to get things straightened out.  We try not to overextend everyone else’s departments or leave any one section short-handed for an extended period of time, but we do take what we need to resolve the situation we’ve been handed with all expediency.

To that end, I have enlisted several friends and cohorts to help me fix this mess.  Saphira is truly my mate though she is not a guardian angel of any kind.  And I hope I do not need to call upon her true skills beyond supporting me before this is all over.  Amber is my best friend other than Saphira - she’s a guide guardian… the kind Rafe was before he created this debacle.  I’m convinced if Charisma had been her charge, we wouldn’t be cleaning up crap now.  Hence my snarky comment to Charisma about male angels.  Honestly there are some things most of them just shouldn’t try to handle - they don’t do as well as their female counterparts.

There are a few other guardians I have on stand-by for if and when they are needed.  But at the moment Amber, Saphira and I and the rest have things well in hand and under control.

************

Esmeralda made her way from the metro station towards the diner, a smile on her face as she approached.  It had been a long and interesting day and she was anxious to share her experiences with Saphira.  Besides, things should be happening on the flip side of things soon, and Esmeralda was anxious to hear how things were progressing.  And it didn’t hurt that Matilda made the most awesome chocolate cake and always saved a piece for them to share before they headed home.

She was smiling as she opened the door and it grew to a genuine grin when Saphira’s eyes met hers.  “Hey, Beautiful,” Saphira greeted as Esmeralda took a stool at the counter.  “How was your night?”

“Interesting.  Yours?”

“Busy,” placing a glass of milk in front of Esmeralda and pulling the slice of cake from the case.  “Not that you can tell at the moment,” indicating the fairly empty restaurant with a sigh.  “Hey, Joe!” calling out to the grill cook.  He peeked through the window with a frown on his face until he caught a glimpse of Esmeralda.  Then he grinned and came out of the kitchen for a hug.  The embrace was brief and Joe pulled back to peer at her.

“You’re too skinny there, Essie.  Let me fix you something to go with that cake.”

“I’m all right, Joe,” she started then continued when she saw him start to frown again, “but a burger would be nice, thanks.”

“Good girl… maybe you can get this one to eat something too,” he added with a glower in Saphira’s direction before returning to he kitchen.  Esmeralda turned to look at her mate.

“Joe giving you a hard time?” noting the weariness in Saphira’s eyes and body language.  Saphira smiled at her.

“No more than usual - he’s just concerned.   Remember, as far as he knows I lost my job taking care of you during your illness.  And I’ve been working doubles here to pay the bills.”

“Well,” Esmeralda agreed quietly.  “That’s mostly true.  You did give up your job; you did take care of me while I was sick; and you have been working doubles here.  The rest….”

“The rest will work itself out in His time - I know.  I just… sometimes I don’t know how you can do this all the time, Es.  I just want to get in there and fix things.”

Esmeralda smiled.  “I know you do, Phira.  That’s your calling, and you’re the best at what you do.  But that’s not what guardians do.  This requires a little more finesse and finagling than brute strength and brilliance.”

Saphira snorted.  “Nice save though we both know there is an enormous amount of brilliance that goes into these rescue missions,” she said with a smirk, then rose from her stool.  “Let me lock the door,” she said as the last customer left with a wave.  “Then we can eat in peace before we go home for some sleep.”

She reached for the lock, turning it with a snick and grabbing the blinds.  Before she could snap them closed she heard a desperate voice calling out, “Wait, please!  Wait!”

Saphira’s shoulders dropped, but she had long since learned not to ignore a plea for help when one was heard.  You never knew who or what lay behind the call nor the difference you could make by taking the time to listen.  With a sigh she unlocked the door and motioned the woman forward and into the diner.

The woman crossed the threshold with a sigh of relief and a sincere thank you as she glanced around.  She was pulling two large suitcases as well as a tote bag and looked completely lost and out of place.  Esmeralda recognized her immediately, but she waited for the woman to speak.

“Thank you so much,” she said to Saphira again, taking the stool the woman offered her and accepting a menu.  “I somehow missed my driver at the airport and I’m pretty sure I got off the wrong Metro stop as well.”

“Is this your first visit to Washington?”

The woman blushed and nodded her head.  “I’ve been all over this country and all over the world, but I’ve never had the opportunity to come here until now.”  Not the complete truth, but she had no way of knowing they already knew that.

“So what brings you here - business or pleasure?” Esmeralda asked, eyes widening when Joe plopped the biggest burger she’d seen in a while in front of her.  She turned her gaze to Saphira who understood her unspoken request, pulling another plate from behind the counter and proceeded to remove about half the food onto it.  Saphira cocked an eyebrow at the other woman who was staring at the hamburger and fries like she hadn’t eaten in days, then slid the plate over to sit in front of her.  The woman immediately began to protest.

“Oh no… I can’t take your food from you.  Please.”

Saphira just ignored her and poured up two more glasses of cold milk then refilled Esmeralda’s.  Esmeralda put her hand on top of the woman’s and silenced her with it a look.  “Please, don’t insult us by refusing the food.  It’s obvious you’re very hungry aside from being lost and alone.  We can’t afford to buy you a whole meal, but we can share what we have.”

The woman’s mouth snapped shut on her argument and she bowed her head in the face of such simple generosity.  “Thank you,” she murmured. 

“Besides,” Esmeralda added with a smile, hoping to chase away the woman’s embarrassment.  “Joe fixed enough to feed a family here and it will just go to waste otherwise.”

The woman took a satisfying bite of her burger and her face lit up in a smile.  “Oh, I don’t think you have to worry about that.  Man, this is great!” seeing Joe pop up from the back with a smile at her expression of pleasure.  “I haven’t had real food this good in ages.”

“Well then,” Saphira said around her own bite.  “I’m glad I held the door open for you.”

 The woman moaned.  “Me too.  This place is going to be a regular stop for me while I’m here.”

“So are you here for business or pleasure?” Esmeralda asked again.

“Business.  I’ve just been appointed the Senator from my state to replace Richard Whitman.”  Saphira and Esmeralda nodded.  Richard Whitman had been in the news for weeks due to a medical condition that had slowly left him incapacitated and unable to serve in the Senate any longer.  Many had been waiting for the governor of his state to name his replacement, but nothing had been finalized in the press though apparently the decision had already been made.

“It was supposed to be announced last week, but….”  She shrugged.  “The timing was never right - either the governor or I always had some sort of scheduling conflict that kept getting in the way of making an announcement together.  I think now the governor is planning to call a press conference here on the capital steps tomorrow - make a big to do over the whole thing.”

“And how do you feel about it?”

“The job or the press conference?” the woman asked with a smile.

“Yes,” Esmeralda said as she munched on a few fries.

“Well, it’s not like it’s my first press conference,” she confessed, wiping her mouth and taking a swallow of milk.    “Man, that’s good stuff.”  She shook her head.  “I learned a long time ago that the press and paparazzi are a part of public life like them or not.  As for the job….”  She shrugged and looked t her plate thoughtfully.  “I’m not sure yet,” she replied honestly.  “This isn’t really something I set out to do in my life - politics don’t particularly interest me, but the governor felt I was the best choice for the job.  Fortunately I only have to do it for two years before the people can elect another candidate of their choice.”

“And if they decide that choice is you?”

“I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”  The woman chewed and swallowed, wiping her hands on her napkin before extending them.  “By the way, my name is Brianna Walker.”


Chapter X

“I’m Esmeralda and this is my mate Saphira and of course, there’s Joe back behind the grill.  You’ll have to come back to meet Matilda, but for now allow us to welcome you to Washington, D.C.”

Brianna smiled.  “Thanks - I’m really glad to be here.  I never expected to find such real people here.”  Saphira’s eyebrows popped into her hairline and Brianna chuckled even as she blushed profusely at her forthrightness.  “I’m sorry - that sounds pretty pretentious, doesn’t it?  It’s just… you’ve shown more kindness to me, a complete stranger to you, than most people I consider to be friends.”

“It sounds like you need new friends,” Saphira growled as she swallowed the last bite of her food.  Then she rose and went behind the counter, retrieving the slice of chocolate cake and setting it in front of Esmeralda.  With a thoughtful glance at Brianna she withdrew a chocolate cake from the display and cut off another large slice, setting it in front of her.  Green eyes widened comically before glancing at Saphira.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” she started, then stopped when Saphira held up her hand.

“I need to go clean up the last table before we can leave,” she said to Esmeralda.  “Save a bite for me, will ya?”

Esmeralda smiled and offered her the first forkful and Saphira didn’t even hesitate.  Brianna’s eyes nearly popped from her head and this time when blue and green eyes turned her way, they burned more fiercely than anything she had ever seen before.  The flames were almost soul piercing and she swallowed hard.

“I’m sorry - I didn’t mean to stare.  It’s just… I’ve never seen anyone be so comfortable together in public.”

“You mean a same-sex couple?” Esmeralda asked quietly.  She squeezed Saphira’s hand lightly and with the smallest nod, Saphira moved off to take care of her work.  Esmeralda returned her attention to Brianna and Brianna sighed with relief.  The fierceness of Esmeralda’s gaze was no longer palpable and in fact felt almost understanding.  Brianna nodded.

“Exactly,” she replied.  “Most gay people of my acquaintance are unable to live so openly.  It would destroy them - their families, their careers, their friendships….”  Brianna trailed off and Esmeralda waited patiently.  Finally Brianna resumed speaking though she tried to sound off-hand.  “It’s just nice to see for a change.”

“Because you can’t?” Esmeralda asked without censure.  Brianna smiled sadly. 

“I never….”  She shook her head.  “It doesn’t matter,” she said as she rose from her stool.  “I’m sorry - I really should get going.  Thank you for….”  Brianna stopped when Esmeralda laid a hand on her arm.

“Please don’t go,” Esmeralda pled softly.  “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Brianna smiled again and covered Esmeralda’s hand with her own.  “You didn’t,” Brianna assured her.  “It’s just not something….”

“I understand,” Esmeralda said, and looking into her eyes Brianna was inclined to believe her.  “You never have to but if you ever need to….”

Brianna smiled and motioned around them. “I won’t, but I know where to find you when I need the company of real people and good food.  Besides, I have to come back to meet Matilda, right?”

“Right.”

“Well then, let us get you where you need to be,” Saphira insisted as she hung up her apron and grabbed her jacket from the hook.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” Brianna said even though a sense of relief flowed through her at the offer.

“You’re not asking,” Esmeralda stated with a smile as she accepted her jacket when Saphira wrapped it around her.  “We’re offering.  It’s what real people do, Brianna.”

Brianna smiled sadly and shook her head.  “No, Esmeralda.  It’s what good people do. Real people aren’t necessarily good ones.  I know… I’ve seen plenty of real people in my lifetime and even more pretenders.  And let me assure you that you and Saphira and Joe are the exception, not the rule.”

Esmeralda smiled.  “Then we’re glad to be the exception,” turning to wrap Saphira’s scarf around her neck and tuck it into her jacket.  She stood still while Saphira returned the favor, then together they turned back to Brianna.

“How long have you been together?” Brianna asked when she realized she was staring.

“An eternity,” Esmeralda replied without hesitation, and looking at the two of them Brianna was inclined to believe her.

“You’re not joking are you?”

“Not at all.  We’ve been together for as long as I can remember.”

Brianna couldn’t stop the smile that crossed her face.  “You grew up together?  That’s so amazing.”

Saphira wrapped an arm around Esmeralda and ushered them towards the door.  “You have no idea - she is an angel to have put up with me for as long as she has.”  She grabbed one of Brianna’s bags and waited for Brianna and Esmeralda to do the same before turning around to wave at Joe.  “Night, Joe.  See ya in the morning.”

“Thank you, Joe.  It was nice to meet you,” Brianna added and then exited the diner.

“Night, girls,” he returned before coming around the counter to lock up behind them.

************

Brianna stopped walking as soon as she exited the diner, waiting for Saphira and Esmeralda to lead the way.  Instead they turned to her and waited.  She looked at them curiously.  “Um… which way?”

Saphira smiled rakishly.  “Depends - where do you wanna go?”

Brianna blushed and shook her head as she chuckled.  “Sorry… been a long day for me.”  She handed Saphira a card with an address.  “This is where I’m supposed to be.”

Saphira held it up to the light, her eyebrows popping into her hairline.  “Well,” she said after a moment’s pause, allowing her brows to return to their rightful place on her forehead.  “You’re definitely lost.  C’mon… we need to get you back to the Metro.  You’re about three stops off the beaten path,” leading the way to the closest station.

They were silent as they swiped their cards and went through the turnstiles, sighing in relief when the train pulled in almost immediately.  Saphira led the way and the others followed her, happy to sit down for their brief time to Brianna’s stop.  When they reached it, Saphira stood and led the way back outside, immediately making a right and heading towards the secure apartment building Brianna would be living in for the time being.

When they reached the outer door, Saphira and Esmeralda placed Brianna’s bags beside her and stepped away.  Brianna looked her question at them.

“We can’t go inside,” Esmeralda commented.  “It’s a secure building and we haven’t been cleared for admittance.”

“You won’t lose touch with me, will you?  It’s nice to know good people for a change.”

Esmeralda smiled and wrapped an arm around Brianna’s shoulder.  “You know where to find us, Brianna Walker.  And if you invite us to visit and clear us to be here, we’ll be here.  Fair enough?”

“Fair enough,” Brianna grinned.  “And I’m going to hold you to it.”

“We hope you do,” Saphira confirmed softly.  “It’s nice to have met someone who… well, let’s just say you’ve been a breath of fresh air for us as well.  Too many think it’s their place to look down and judge.”

Brianna smiled sadly.  “Despite my time in the prosecutor’s office or maybe because of it, I’ve learned to try not to judge people in my personal life.  I would miss out on so many experiences if I only accepted people who were just like me.  And honestly… wouldn’t life be boring if we were all cut out of the same exact cloth?”

“Maybe,” Saphira answered slowly, “but there would probably be less hatred and bigotry in the world if we were.”

“Perhaps,” Brianna conceded.  “But for all its faults, I am thankful for the mishmash of humanity that exists.  It allows me to meet people like you - people who bring something new and fresh into my life that makes me a richer, better person for it.”  She paused.  “I think God sent you to me just when I needed you most.”

Saphira and Esmeralda exchanged startled glances before looking back at Brianna.  Esmeralda took Brianna’s hand in hers.  “I think God sent us to each other, Brianna.  We’re happy to have made a new friend.”

Brianna pulled Esmeralda into a brief hug and reached out a hand to Saphira that she took without hesitation.  “So am I,” she said with a hint of wonder in her voice.  “I don’t usually trust this quickly, but my gut’s telling me you two are the real deal.  And my gut rarely lies.”

Esmeralda chuckled.  “Go with the gut then and come see us when you get settled in.”

Brianna nodded.  “I will.  It might take a little while - I have a feeling this new job is going to take a bit of time to adjust to, but don’t lose faith.  I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“We’ll keep the light on for you.”  Then Saphira took Esmeralda’s hand and pulled her from Brianna’s embrace, wrapping a possessive arm around her waist.  They stood together watching as Brianna gathered up her luggage and headed inside, nodding at the doorman who suddenly appeared to help.  He gave them a brief glance before relieving Brianna of her bags and she turned to wave goodbye once more as she disappeared.

Saphira turned to Esmeralda, finally letting her exhaustion show.  “Home now?”

Esmeralda nodded with a tired smile.  “Home now, Beloved.”

************

The ride was silent; they had no need to fill it with meaningless chatter and anything they needed to say would wait until they were in the privacy of their home.  Saphira unlocked the door and motioned Esmeralda in ahead of her. Then she closed and locked the door behind them and followed Esmeralda into their tiny bedroom.

Both women slipped out of their shoes with a tired groan and it was with a sense of relief that they showered briefly before curling up into bed together.  When they were tucked in and the lights were turned off, Esmeralda spoke.

“Well,” she said softly into Saphira’s neck, “it’s started.”

“That it is,” Saphira agreed feeling completely out of her depth.  “The question is - what now?”

“As in what will happen now or what do we do now?”

“Either… both… I’m not sure.  You know this isn’t generally my gig, sweetheart.”  She shook her head and felt Esmeralda’s smile against her skin at the action.  “Honestly I don’t know how you do this kind of work… how you’ve managed to do this for so long without violence.  Don’t you just want to shake some sense into them?  Or I don’t know - tie them up and make them sit and talk til they work it all out on their own?”

Esmeralda chuckled and Saphira smiled even as she sighed in relief. Things had been tough for them for a while - what with her job issues and Esmeralda’s sickness.  It was a blessing to hear Esmeralda laugh again even if it was due to her complete frustration with their current assignment.  And truth be told Saphira couldn’t even resent the assignment or their situation too much - not as long as she and Esmeralda were still together.  Esmeralda blew out a warm breath against Saphira’s chest and she shivered in the wake of the goosebumps that followed.  She felt Esmeralda grin again and trace a path along her suddenly burning skin.

“Sometimes,” she admitted, “it would be a lot simpler if we could just bang a few heads together and be done with it.  It would also probably be a lot more satisfying.  But unfortunately for us and luckily for most of our charges, it doesn’t work that way.  It requires patience and subtlety and….”

“… and a lot of teeth grinding.”

Esmeralda nodded.  “Sometimes.  But when it works - when we’re able to bring everything together and fix whatever it was that went so wrong - Phira, there’s nothing like it.  It makes all the frustration and head banging worth it.”

Saphira chuckled soundlessly and shook her head again.  “I’ll take your word for it, Es.  I’d just as soon smack their heads together and be done with it.”

Esmeralda tilted her head back slightly and brought her hand up to cup Saphira’s face.  “I know, Love.  It’s in your nature.  That passion is just one reason I love you.  But I do appreciate you being here for this one.  I have a feeling it’s not going to be easy.”

Saphira snorted.  “Like any of your assignments are,” turning her head and kissing Esmeralda’s palm.

“True,” sliding her hand into Saphira’s dark hair and gently massaging her scalp.  “But I think one is going to be more difficult than most.  So many people involved and my two protagonists….”  She shook her head before tucking it beneath Saphira’s chin once more without missing a beat in her gentle scratching.

“Stubborn?”

“Let’s just say they remind me greatly of you.”

“Hey!” Saphira protested though she really didn’t argue the point.  “It sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”

Esmeralda sighed.  “We all do.  I just want this to work out.”  She paused. “Phira, they remind me so much of us… of what we could easily have been if things had worked out differently.  We would have been miserable without each other, and for a while there it was a near thing.”

“No matter what,” Saphira’s fierce possessiveness lighting a fire along Esmeralda’s nerve endings.  “No matter what - we would have been together, Es.  Anything else was never, ever an option and He knew that.  They all did.  I made that clear at the outset.”

Esmeralda shifted until she could look into Saphira’s eyes that glowed clearly in the otherwise thick darkness surrounding them.  “Did you really?”

“Absolutely.  Short of you choosing not to stay with me, nothing would have separated us.”

Esmeralda snuggled closer into Saphira’s body.  “That means… everything.”  Saphira brushed a kiss over the top of her head and felt Esmeralda sigh against her.

“What?” she whispered into the blonde hair.

“I don’t understand them, Phira.  We came so close to losing this; we’d have done anything… everything… to keep it.  You did - you stood up to Him and them for us.  Why would they just throw something like this away??  Why give it up without even giving it a chance??”

“You can’t miss what you’ve never had, Sweetheart, and I don’t think either of them have had it… not really.”

“I think Brianna is aware of it - that’s why she left.  She loved Charisma enough to leave.”

“But not enough to fight for her - I don’t understand that.”

“That’s because you’re a warrior by nature, my love.”

“Well, I hope one of them figures out how to be a fighter sooner than later.  I don’t think I’m cut out to live among humans for any length of time… especially as a waitress.  This has to be the hardest work I’ve ever done - worse than fighting a legion of demons locked in an eternal struggle.”

Esmeralda couldn’t stop the laughter from escaping. “That bad, Phira?”

Saphira growled.  “That bad.”  Then she felt Esmeralda’s hands soothing her belly.  “Although that’s making it much better.”

“You pleasure hound you.”

“Like you didn’t know that already,” Saphira snorted, then shifted on the bed until she was spooned around Esmeralda wrapping her in a total embrace.  “C’mon, Sweetheart.  Despite our heavenly nature, we’ve still got to get some rest while we’re on the earthly plane.  You especially - I don’t want you getting sick again.”

“Neither do I.  Too much work still to do.”

“Close your eyes,” Saphira commanded then began humming a lullaby.  It was the last thing Esmeralda heard before she drifted off to sleep.


Chapter XI

“It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce District Attorney Brianna Walker as Senator Richard Whitman’s replacement here on the steps of our nation’s Capitol Building,” the Governor droned on, pausing only for the smattering of polite applause.  Brianna was tempted to look at her watch, but her ingrained training held as she turned her attention back to the Governor’s words, hoping she hadn’t missed too much.  “Senator Whitman has served our state long and faithfully and it was with his input and blessing that we chose Ms Walker to represent us for the remainder of his term.  It is our hope and firm belief that by taking this reprieve Senator Whitman will be able to recover his health.”  Another smattering of applause and the Governor smiled, knowing it was time to wrap things up.  “Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Brianna Walker.”  Flashes snapped as Brianna accepted the Governor’s proffered hand, then she stepped behind the podium that had been set up for the press announcement.

“Thank you, Governor,” she accepted graciously.  “I won’t keep you all out here in the freezing cold spouting platitudes and rhetoric and party line.  I know you’ll be keeping an eye on me for a little while at least.  I’ll let my actions speak louder than words.”

This garnered Brianna some real applause and some smiles before she waved and stepped back from the platform as the flashes popped off again.  She was quickly escorted to a waiting car and the Governor followed her and she directed the driver to take them to the airport.

“Are you sure you can’t stay, Michael?  I understand the President invited you to the luncheon today.”

“If Jenny had come with me, I would have said yes, but she would never forgive me for going without her.  Surprisingly the President understood that and graciously offered to extend an invitation to both of us another time.”

“Probably why he and his wife still actually give the appearance of happily married - he knows how to keep her happy.”

Michael chuckled at her dry tone and as the car reached the drop off area for private jets, he reached over and covered her hand.  “You’ll have to let me know your thoughts after you sit down with him.  In the meantime don’t stress too much over this, Brianna.  You can do this job; it’s why you were chosen.  Just use the same tenacity you were famous for in the courtroom.  There won’t be a senator on the Hill that will be able to push you around.”  He saw the shadow flash across her eyes, but it was gone before he could question its validity. 

“Tell Jenny I’m looking forward to the two of you visiting together.”

“Will do,” Michael said as she opened the door.  “Keep us in the loop, and let us know if you….”

“I’ll be fine, Michael.  Go home to your wife.”

He rolled his eyes, but slid out of the car, giving Brianna a wave before closing it behind him.  They watched him out of sight, then Brianna told the driver to go on.  They pulled back into traffic and headed for the Senate.  It was time to go to work.

************

“Well, that was interesting,” Saphira said as she dressed for the lunch shift at the diner.  Esmeralda put the last of their breakfast dishes away and dried her hands before turning to look at Saphira.

“It was something, but I’m not sure exactly what it was supposed to accomplish.”

“It was an introduction.  It was meant to get people’s attention.  I’m pretty sure it did that.  And I’m pretty sure you’ll probably get an earful about it sooner or later.”

Esmeralda sighed.  “I hope this doesn’t backfire, Phira.”  Saphira cocked her head.  “This could push Charisma right over the edge.”

“No,” Saphira stated fiercely.  “Don’t lose your faith now, Es.  She needs this push.  You know and I know that everything has to blow to hell and back between Brianna and Charisma before anything real can happen for them here in this time and place.  They are too pigheaded stubborn to allow it to be easy.  But we’re gonna make sure to give them that chance if we have to drag them to it kicking and screaming.”

Esmeralda chuckled, feeling better by the minute.  “And once we get them there?”

Saphira smiled smugly and briefly she allowed her true self to flash across her person - spreading her wings to their fullest extension and grasping the sword in both hands as the flame raced from hilt to tip.  She held the pose momentarily, then reverted to her human form, waggling her eyebrows rakishly.  “I don’t think keeping them there to work things out will be a real problem, Es.  If the wings don’t stun them, the fiery sword will.”

“Well it would certainly get their attention,” Esmeralda commented after clearing her throat delicately and wiping the smile from her face.  “But I’m not sure He would accept the results that sort of <ahem> convincing.”

Saphira smirked, though her shoulders fell and her eyes lost their twinkle.  “Probably not.  He has a knack for taking the fun out of things.”

Esmeralda wrapped Saphira in her embrace, gratified beyond words when Saphira returned it without hesitation.  “You know it has to be their choice, Love.  Putting the fear of Him into them like that eliminates their free will - and that negates all of our efforts as well.”

Saphira sighed.  “I know.  Doesn’t make the prospect any less tempting.”  She pulled back just slightly, enough to duck her head and capture Esmeralda’s lips in a fervent kiss.  “Try to get some rest today,” she chided as they separated.  “The place couldn’t get any cleaner if He came in and did it Himself, and you still look tired.”

“I am a little, but so do you,” Esmeralda confessed as she pushed dark bangs out of Saphira’s eyes.  “You need a trim.”

Saphira blew out a breath, fluffing her bangs up briefly and drawing a smile from Esmeralda.  “I know,” she replied drolly but unable to keep herself from responding to the happiness in Esmeralda’s eyes.  “You do what you need to do to make this work, Es,” returning to their original discussion.  “I’ll follow you.”

“Walk beside me, Phira.  That’s all I ask.”

“Sounds like a plan, Es, but I’ve gotta go before I’m late.”  She brushed their lips together once more.  “I’ll see you tonight?”

“As soon as I can get there.  I’ll call if it looks like I’m going to be late.”

Saphira nodded and headed out the door.  Esmeralda watched her go, then lay down on the couch, hoping for a few minutes of rest before she needed to get up to run a few errands before heading in to work.  She was therefore more than a little disconcerted to open her eyes what felt like mere moments later to find a couple hours had passed and someone was knocking on her door.

She blinked sleepily, trying to kick-start her brain even as she rose from the sofa and made her way towards the door.  She peeked through the hole and smiled, opening the door to let Amber in.  Amber cupped Esmeralda’s face in her hands and let her golden eyes roam over Esmeralda’s features.  Esmeralda captured Amber’s hands in hers and smiled.

“I’m all right, Amber.  I just fell asleep.”

“Best thing for you,” she stated unequivocally.  Esmeralda rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the grin that crossed her face.

“I know - you sound just like Saphira.”

Now it was Amber’s turn to roll her eyes and she did so with gusto.  “Imagine that,” she said drolly.  “You’d think we were related or something.”

“Or something for sure,” Esmeralda chuckled.  “How’d things go last night?”

“About like you’d expect.  Charisma went home and put Adam to bed.  Then she went into her study and stayed there for a long time.”  Amber looked at Esmeralda’s expectant face and she sighed.  “There was no way for me to see clearly without literally climbing into her personal space - she was curled around them protectively.”

“But…?”

“But she got out an album of pictures.  And from the frantic way she searched for them and the possessive way she safeguarded them even in the privacy of her own home, I’d say it was the album… the pictures from her European trip with Brianna.”

Esmeralda gnawed her lip thoughtfully as she considered Amber’s words.  “Only those?” she finally asked.

Amber gave an exasperated sigh.  “I don’t know, Es.  I really couldn’t see.  But if I was to offer a guess, I would say yes - only those.  I’ll try to get a look tonight.”

“And Kent?”

Amber shook her head.  “He got in late, but he didn’t disturb her. He went straight to his room and settled in for the night.  Charisma didn’t even give him a thought when she finally went upstairs last night.  She re-hid the album in her office then went right to her room, but she didn’t sleep - at least not for a long time.  It was almost dawn before I saw her eyes flutter closed.  And even then it wasn’t particularly restful.”

“So how did she take the announcement?”

“Do the words fire and ice mean anything to you?”

“Oh boy.”

“Yeah… although I’ll admit that my first thought was duck and cover.”

“Great.  Well, I guess tonight should be interesting.”

Amber chuckled.  “You, my dear, are a master of understatement.”

Esmeralda glared at her compatriot briefly before she closed her eyes and whispered a short prayer.  “Well,” she said when green appeared again.  “We knew it was coming.  The sooner we get started….”

“… the sooner we get this mess fixed.  At least you know she won’t take it out on you.”

“Yes she will, Amber.  I will be the closest, safest target.  That’s one reason I am where I am.”

“What?? How do you figure?”

“C’mon, Amber… how many times have we been through this?  She can’t have a public reaction of any kind.  It would invite too many questions from constituents and opponents alike.  She would never take it out on Adam, and Kent is immune because she needs to cling to the facade of her marriage, especially now that Brianna Walker has been forced into her life again however benign their interaction.  She trusts me - it may take a little while, but eventually she is going to need to vent and I’m the most logical person for her to talk to.  She knows I know how to keep her secrets; I already have to some extent.”

“You don’t think she will do something stupid?”

“It’s my job to make sure she doesn’t,” Esmeralda sighed.  “You crashing?” she asked, watching Amber’s golden eyes start to droop shut.

“Yeah… long night.”  Her shoulders slumped.  “I don’t know, Es.  It was disheartening… or maybe I’m just tired from being up all night and half the day besides.”  She rotated her head and shoulders in an attempt to relieve the stress she felt.  “How do humans put up with this?”

Esmeralda gave Amber a long look.  “They don’t know any other way?  At least you don’t have to be corporeal for most of your work in this case… although I know staying in an invisible observation state for hours on end is draining.”  She motioned towards Amber’s teensy bedroom.  “Go get some sleep.  I’ve got a few errands to run before I go to work.  I’ll leave you something for supper.”

Amber nodded before walking into her room and falling face first into her bed.  Esmeralda just smiled and shook her head, then closed the door softly.  She gathered up her purse and coat, wrapping her scarf around her neck and pulling on her gloves.  With a final look around the spotless apartment, Esmeralda stepped out into the cold and headed out to take care of her errands.

************

When Esmeralda came home to drop of her few packages, she checked on Amber only to find that her fellow guardian hadn’t stirred an inch.  She shook her head, understanding all too well the exhaustion Amber felt, then she turned to the kitchen and started preparing a simple meal.  She ate her portion, then covered the rest and left it for Amber when she got up.  Then she gathered her things and headed out again, this time making her way to work at the Senate Building.

She passed through security, nodding to the guys she saw every night and waving to her fellow custodians.  Esmeralda went directly to her cleaning closet, collecting her cart and checking her supplies before starting her nightly rounds.

“Esmeralda?”  Her boss calling her name pulled Esmeralda out of the brown study she’d fallen into as she did her restocking by rote.  She looked up and smiled.  Rick had been a good friend to her since she’d come to work for him and very understanding about her medical issues.

“Hey Rick… what’s up?”

“I just wanted to let you know that you’ve got to cover the new Senator.”  Her brows rose in question and Rick continued speaking.  “You know that Senator Whitman retired because of his health.  Well, his replacement has been installed in his office.  I know it’s unusual, but someone managed to pull some serious strings for the new senator to keep her there for at least the length of his remaining tenure.  So you’ve got the new kid, Kid,” he added with a waggle of bushy gray eyebrows.

Esmeralda nodded.  “All right, Rick.  I’ll take care of her.  Do you know…?  Nevermind.”

“What?”

“I was wondering if you knew her work habits - whether she worked late or not.  But she hasn’t been here long enough for us to have even heard anything yet… to say nothing of having any practical knowledge.”

“No, but from what I have heard of her time as a District Attorney, I’m thinking you probably have another Senator Tagherty on your hands.”  Green eyes flew open wide and Rick chuckled.  “I know,” he said in response.  “If they all worked that hard, the world would be a much better place.”

“Yes, but I’d never get my work done in that case,” Esmeralda confided with a wry chuckle.

“And on that note,” Rick said as he stepped away from her cart, “I’ll let you get to work.”

“Thanks for the heads-up, Rick.”

“Anytime, Es.  Tell Saphira hello from me.”

“Will do.”

She watched him walk back towards his office and shook her head at the way things were falling into place.  Then she gathered up her supplies and started forward to make her rounds.

Most of the senators were in session or in meetings or otherwise out of the office at this time of day and it didn’t take Esmeralda much time to tidy and clean each of these office areas.  The spaces that had pages and other political assistants taking care of various duties went a little slower, but the employees recognized Esmeralda and greeted her cordially.

As darkness fell around her and evening gave way to night, Esmeralda slowly made her way through the offices she was assigned to, saving Brianna and Charisma for the last.

She knocked on the door like she always did before entering a senator’s private office space, not even a little surprised to hear Brianna’s voice bid her entrance.  Esmeralda opened the door and pushed the cart in ahead of her, turning to close the door behind her before facing the woman currently seated behind the desk.

“Esmeralda?” Brianna asked as she rose from her seat.  “What are you…?”  She held up her hands to stop her question and Esmeralda’s answer.  “Sorry - obviously you’re working.  I just didn’t realize….”

“I can come back if my being here is a problem, Senator Walker.”

Brianna frowned.  “Senator Walker?  What happened to Brianna?”

“It’s not my place to assume that sort of intimacy inside these walls, Senator.”

“And if I insist?”

“I am happy to be recognized as a friend, Brianna.”

Brianna smiled and stepped forward, embracing Esmeralda briefly before moving back and crossing her arms over her chest.  “Always, Esmeralda.  You’re the nicest surprise I’ve had all day.”

“Rough first day?”

“Just a lot of politics - story of my life for a while, I’m afraid.  But seriously it is great to see you.  Did you know…?”

“That you’d be here?  Not until I got to work this evening.  Rick told me someone pulled strings to keep you here.”  Brianna tilted her head.  “Normally, junior senators don’t start off here.  This building is considered premium real estate and most senators wait for years before having the opportunity to occupy an office here.  Some never do.  So someone worked a deal somewhere to keep you here.”

“So I’ve already started out owing favors?”

Esmeralda shrugged.  “It’s the way of things here - business as usual.”  Brianna didn’t comment but went around and sat back at her desk.  “So is it all right…?” motioning to her cart.  “I won’t get in your way.”  Brianna nodded.

“Yes, please.”  She let the silence go on for a little while, then…. “Tell me about you and Saphira.”  Esmeralda cocked an eyebrow in Brianna’s direction.  “I’d just like to know more about you.”  Brianna paused.  “Tell you what - you share with me and I’ll share with you.”

“All right,” Esmeralda agreed as she picked up the duster.  “I’ll start.  Do you want to ask specific questions or should I just throw out random bits of information?”

Brianna’s eyes narrowed.  “You haven’t always been a custodian, have you?”  Esmeralda grinned.  This was going to be fun.


Chapter XII

“What makes you say that?” Esmeralda asked as started pulling supplies from her cart, setting them out in the order she planned to use them.

“Call it prosecutor’s intuition,” Brianna said with a satisfied smile, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back in her chair.  For the first time since the announcement about her posting that very morning - what felt like a veritable lifetime ago - Brianna felt comfortable.  Though she had only met Esmeralda the previous day, there was something about her that inspired a sense of well-being and Brianna hadn’t been kidding when she’d told them she’d long ago learned to trust her gut.  It was an instinct she had developed the hard way and she wasn’t going to dismiss it now… especially when it boded well for her for a change.  She noted the smirk on Esmeralda’s face and couldn’t stop the smile from breaking out across her own even though she was confident that the twinkle reflected in green eyes that could have been her twins meant nothing but trouble for her.  “What?”

“I didn’t realize prosecuting attorneys were allowed to have intuition, Senator.  I thought they had to check it at the door in order to get their ID badges.”

“Oh ho… funny woman, hmm?”  Brianna allowed the twinkle to form in her own eyes.  “Let me guess - you were a comedienne in another life,” she continued drolly.

“No, I’ve always been a custodian or a janitor in one capacity or other.  I’m good at it; it pays the bills; and you’d be surprised at the things you learn cleaning up behind a person.  And while I would never use that knowledge for my own personal gain, it has taught me how to read and relate to people better.  And that has given me some wonderful, interesting friends in my life.”

“Seriously?”

“Absolutely.  To those who see me - who relate to me as a person - I am a viable friend… someone who has earned trust and respect.  But to most of those that I work for, I’m not a person but a job to be done.  They don’t see me - only the results of my labor - so it’s easy to dismiss me, but it tends to make them more careless than they would be if they realized I was able to see the things they left behind.”

Brianna tilted her head, eyes gone serious at Esmeralda’s words.  “Such as?”

“Well, you can tell about a lot about a person’s personal habits by how they leave their desk.  Or what they throw away.  What they eat or how they personalize their workspace.”

“So you’re a student of human nature?”

“Something like that,” Esmeralda shrugged diffidently.  “It keeps my mind busy at any rate.”

“Don’t downplay your intelligence, Esmeralda, or any of the other talents that you possess.”  Brianna held up her hand to keep Esmeralda from interrupting before she could finish.  “I don’t trust easily, Es - I’ve learned not to in my line of work.  Too many people have a tendency to lie first and I’ve come to expect it as a matter of course.  Because of that I have developed a sense about people - not always completely accurate but right much more often than not.”  Esmeralda nodded but waited for Brianna to continue.  “There’s something about you, Esmeralda.  You are much more than you allow most to see, but still people feel comfortable around you.  I imagine a lot of people talk to you - spilling any number of secrets.  And you keep each and every one.”

“Brianna, you haven’t known me long enough to make that sort of judgment.”

Brianna smiled, the expression genuine and visible in her eyes.  “Normally I’d agree with you.  But I’d be willing to bet good money I’m right.”

“You sure it’s not just because you need someone to talk to… need someone to trust?”  Esmeralda watched sadly as the light faded from Brianna’s eyes.  “I’m not saying you’re wrong, Brianna, but I don’t want you to ever regret confiding in me.”

“Do you think I would?”

“I would never give you a reason to, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have doubts and regrets if you jumped in with both feet right at the start.  Right now you have nothing more to go on than your gut and my word, and while I’m sure you trust your gut with very good reason, my word means nothing to you yet.”

Brianna sat back impressed despite herself.  “Seems you really are a student of human nature, Esmeralda.  You appear to know me very well.  So what does my office tell you about me?”

“Aside from the fact that you are moving in?” Esmeralda asked with some levity, motioning to the many boxes still packed and scattered around the large space.  Brianna smiled with appreciation then nodded and Esmeralda took her time surveying the room, walking around slowly as she observed everything.  “Well, going strictly by the labels on the boxes, you are something of a scholar if the sheer number and variety of books is anything to go by.  That is not the most important thing to you though as they haven’t even been opened and uncrated yet.  You were probably a Girl Scout at some point in your life as evidenced by the large first aid kit and several changes of clothing already ensconced in your closet.  Family and friends are important to you though some hold more weight and value in your life than others do.  You traveled the world a bit when you were younger, but adulthood and its responsibilities allows you that luxury only on rare occasions.  And either photography is a bit of a serious hobby or you travel alone now when you go.”  She tapped her fingers on her lips, pretending not to notice Brianna’s shell-shocked countenance.  “Let’s see… what else?”

“There’s more?”

“Not much at first glance,” Esmeralda confessed as her eyes continued to roam the room.  “I’d say you probably came from money and that your parents divorced when you were still fairly young although you appear to have found or cultivated a new family unit.  And you’re most comfortable surrounded by the warmth of familiarity that these reminders bring you.  Other than that…?”  She shrugged.  “Only time will reveal more.”

Brianna blinked.  “How did you…?”  She looked around the office.  “How can you tell all that?  All I see is a bunch of unpacked boxes in a mostly bare space.”

“I explained about the books,” Esmeralda started patiently, waiting for Brianna to nod her agreement.  “Were you a girl scout?”

Brianna blushed slightly but nodded again.  “I went through the whole program - I was an ambassador.”

“Which is why you’ve learned to prepare for the unexpected as much as you possibly can.”

“And the family and friends?”

“You already have their pictures out and placed around your office; you can see all of them, but their framing and placement indicate their value in your life. This one,” picking up the crystal frame Brianna had purchased in Ireland years before.  “This one is especially important; the frame is expensive and it holds the most prominent position on your desk so it stands to reason that the other person in it is important to you… or was when the picture of the two of you was taken.  Either way it’s a reminder of what you consider to be one of the happiest times of your life.  These,” motioning to a small grouping of silver frames on one corner of the desk, “are family or close friends, I’m guessing… maybe both. Those,” gesturing to the pictures hung on the wall across from the desk, “are people you’re glad to have met - you may even keep in touch with the occasional email or Christmas cards - but that’s it.  The collages of the places you’ve gone - the memories make you happy so you keep them close behind you where you can turn and look anytime you need to relax.”

“I would guess these,” motioning to two pictures that hung on either side of prominently displayed diplomas, “are your parents.  You have her height, build and eye color and his smile and hair.  Since you are alone with your father in his picture and with your mother and her husband in hers and since your dad isn’t wearing a wedding ring, it stands to reason that they are no longer married to one another.  The fact that there is no mark on his ring finger means they probably haven’t been together for a while.”

“And the travel?”

Esmeralda smiled.  “That was actually the easiest.”  She walked around the desk to take a closer look.  “These,” pointing to the college of Brianna’s and Charisma’s graduation trip, “show you in most of them.  If I was to guess, I’d say probably when you were in college and you traveled with at least one friend,” not yet mentioning she recognized the same younger version of Charisma Tagherty that sat so prominently on Brianna’s desk in the crystal frame.  “These,” gesturing to the next set, “ are still whimsical and personal, and yet there are no obvious people in them, except the one you’re in.  The photos are of the places themselves, not the people you spent time with there.  The timeline is only a guess on my part because photography has changed so much over the last twenty years or so, but I’d guess the two trips were at least ten years apart.  And these,” standing in front of the last collage, “these are the work of an artist - someone who knows how frame a shot and get the maximum effect.  You could probably sell them if you were so inclined.  I find it interesting that you don’t seem to have visited the same place twice in a row… judging by your photography anyway.”  Esmeralda turned to face Brianna, smiling gently at the totally gobsmacked look that graced her face.  “So… how’d I do?”

Brianna blinked a couple times, her mouth opening and closing silently as she tried to recover her scattered wits.  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were either psychic or a stalker.”  She held up her hand before Esmeralda could protest.  “But your explanations - seeing through your eyes was amazing… and very telling in and of itself.”

“How so?”

“You’re wasted as a custodian, Esmeralda.  You should be a police detective or a secret service agent.  You don’t miss very much and you have a real grasp on human nature.”

Esmeralda smiled.  “Lots of practice.”  She drew in a breath then hesitated, unsure if she should continue.  Brianna cocked an inquiring brow and Esmeralda shrugged.  “I was just noticing - this reminds me of someone I know,” retrieving the crystal frame from the desk and studying it carefully.  “Another friend of mine.  This young woman is about half her age although given your age here….”  She placed it gently back on the desk and met Brianna’s green eyes squarely, shaking her head.  “But what are the odds of that, huh?”

Brianna smiled weakly, but plowed ahead.  “This friend… she doesn’t happen to be a United States Senator, does she?”

“As a matter of fact….”

“Um hmm… and does she have a name?”

“Senator Tagherty… Charisma Tagherty.  Is that…?”

Brianna nodded.  “We were college roommates and best friends once upon a time.  Then our lives took different paths and we lost touch with one another.”

Esmeralda smiled despite the feeling of impending doom that suddenly resonated throughout the room.  The tension was apparent in the stiff lines of Brianna’s body and Esmeralda could feel it scrape and vibrate along her own nerves.  However, she was committed to this course of action so….

“Well, then - isn’t it nice that you’re neighbors now?” gesturing towards the closed office door.  “It will give you the chance to….”

“No!” Brianna cut in before Esmeralda could finish her thought.  Esmeralda looked at her with shock and confusion clear in her eyes and expression.  While Brianna’s reaction was not unexpected for the angel, the custodian needed a more human response.

“But…?”

Brianna held up her hand to halt Esmeralda’s words and she took a deep breath before speaking again herself.  “I appreciate what you’re saying, Esmeralda.  But that was a long time ago.  Things aren’t the same anymore.”

Esmeralda rolled her eyes dramatically, coaxing a reluctant smile from Brianna despite her best efforts to remain stern.  “Of course they’re not, Brianna. Life is about change - it’s the one guaranteed constant we’re assured of.  That doesn’t make it a bad thing.  C’mon… can you sit there and tell me you have so many friends you can afford to refuse the opportunity to make another… or renew one that’s been lost for years?”

“In this case, yes,” Brianna replied firmly.  “Leave it alone, Esmeralda.  You don’t know what happened between Charisma and me.”

“You’re not going to able to avoid her forever, Brianna.  You’re from the same state; your offices are just down the hall from one another; and you belong to the same social and political circles.  Eventually you’re going to run into one another.”

“I’m sure at some point we’ll even have to work together.  That doesn’t mean we have to try to be friends again, Es.  Far too much water has flowed beneath that particular bridge, I’m afraid.  However, I am a consummate professional.  I’ve spent years cultivating that persona in the courtroom and I will deal with Senator Tagherty as such.  She’s done a lot of good in her position Esmeralda, and I admire that about her - I always have.  I also appreciate the hard work and effort she’s put into her career.  Her focus was legendary in college and she’s successful for that very reason.  I’ve had to do much the same thing to be at the top of my profession.”  Brianna shrugged.  “We don’t have to be friendly to get things done.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier?”

“Probably.  But it’s not likely so I’m happy just to maintain the status quo.”

Esmeralda remained quiet for a bit, biting her lip in silent contemplation. Finally… “I think you’re wrong, you know.”

Brianna smiled sadly.  “I know.  It still doesn’t alter the truth.”

“Maybe,” Esmeralda conceded as she started putting her cleaning supplies away.  “Will you do something for me?”

Brianna eyed her warily.  “What, exactly?”

“Let me reintroduce you.  Nothing fancy… nothing public.  Just a casual reintroduction here.  She works late many nights… says she gets more done without all the interruptions daylight hours bring.”

Brianna blew out a frustrated breath.  She’d known when she’d accepted the appointment to this position that she and Charisma would have to meet face to face at some point.  Would it be better to do so privately with only the two of them where things could turn personal and questions get asked that Brianna didn’t have a ready answer she was willing to share?  Or in a public venue where the hundreds of eyes surrounding them ensured that any interaction between them would remain polite and professional?  Brianna scoffed silently to herself.  She felt confident given their history and the fact that Charisma had let her go without seeking her out for answers years ago that as long as she did not assume the air of an injured party, things could remain cordial and cool between them.  And since she freely acknowledged that she was the one that had set them on this course years ago, she decided that was the best she could hope for.

“I’ll tell you what, Es.  You talk to Charisma first.  If she wants something like that, then I’ll agree to it, all right?”

Esmeralda studied green eyes so like her own for a long moment, then solemnly nodded once.  “All right.”  She pushed her cart towards the door.  She stopped when Brianna called out to her again, then turned to look at her waiting for her to speak.

“Why do you care?  You don’t know me… not really… and you don’t know the story of what happened between me and Charisma or the circumstances surrounding our estrangement.  So why?”

Esmeralda held her eyes for a long moment.  “I’ve been where you are Brianna.”  She held up her hand to keep Brianna from interrupting her.  “No, I don’t know the details of what happened between you and Charisma, but the look you have in your eyes?  I’ve seen that look in my own before.  It was one of the darkest periods of my life when I thought Saphira was lost to me forever.  If I can do something to bring you a measure of peace even if it is just be there to support you both when you meet again for the first time or listen when you need to talk, I want to do that.  No one should be completely alone, especially in that much pain - no matter how bravely and stoically you try to bear it.”

“Will you tell me the story one day?”

Esmeralda smiled gently.  “Absolutely.  I got my happy ending, you know.”

“I know,” Brianna agreed softly, remembering the feeling of family she’d felt surrounding the two of them the night before.  “I hope you realize how lucky you are.”

“I count my blessings every single day, Brianna.  But I need to get a move on.  I still have work to do, and I promised to meet Saphira at the diner when I’m done.”

Brianna nodded, donning her professional facade once more.  She rose and moved to open the door for Esmeralda, stopping her just outside the office with a touch on her arm.  “Thank you, Esmeralda,” her eyes conveying so much more than her words.  Esmeralda simply smiled and nodded then headed through the outer offices towards the hall.  Brianna watched her go, only closing the door when she was out of sight.

When she was in the hall Esmeralda leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.  Well, it could have gone better, but it certainly wasn’t as bad as it could have been.  Of course there’s still Charisma to talk to and after what Amber said….

Esmeralda shook her head and sighed, pushing off the wall and slipping down the hallway to her next charge.  This was turning out to be a far more interesting day than she’d expected.  But at least her talk with Brianna had given her an inkling of hope about the possibilities of salvaging things.  Time to beard the lion, she thought, and knocked softly on Charisma’s door.

Only time would tell if her inklings were right.

Part 3