Chapter XXXVII

Jade had stayed with Charisma until she and Adam had reached Esmeralda’s.  Then she decided to go look up Mal and see if she could get the lowdown on what was going on since she hadn’t actually expected to see her or Kent in town.  As far as Jade knew Kent was still supposed to be in the City doing his show, and she was honest enough to admit to more than a hint of curiosity.

Mal glared at her when she popped in beside her even though Jade had taken great pains not to sneak up on her unannounced.  She lifted up her hands in a gesture of unknowing innocence and Mal only held onto her scowl for another moment before giving Jade a sheepish expression and a shrug.  “Sorry,” she said softly though there was no way for Kent to hear them when they were in a non-corporeal state.  “I seem to be having one of those days.”

Jade wrapped an arm around Mal’s shoulders and offered her a brief hug.  “What’s wrong?  Why are you here?”

So Mal told Jade her story from the time Kent had found the phone call from Charisma the night before until the moment just before Jade had appeared by her side.  They watched as Kent went through the album slowly, picture by picture, studying his expression and body language since they both knew without a doubt that Esmeralda would ask when the time came.

When Kent finally left Charisma’s study, both Mal and Jade followed him, wondering what he had planned.  When he picked up the phone to call a taxi, they traded skeptical looks.

“That’s it?” Jade hissed.  “He’s just going to go back to work?”

Mal shrugged.  “Looks like it.  And that means I need to go with him.  Will you tell Es...?”

“Absolutely,” Jade nodded.  “I need to get back.  I’m sure she knows I’m not watching Charisma at the moment, and I don’t want to get chewed out if Charisma takes off with no one to keep an eye on her.”

“Es wouldn’t chew you out.”

“She probably wouldn’t let me have it with both barrels, but I’m pretty sure I’d get an earful.  And you know Ruby and Saphira both would give me those looks,” Jade added with a theatrical shudder.  Mal just chuckled and shook her head. 

“I’ve gotta go,” seeing Kent exit the house as surreptitiously as he’d entered earlier that morning. 

Jade nodded.  “Be safe... and good luck.”

“Thanks – you too.”  Then Mal left with Kent, and Jade headed back to wait for Charisma.

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

Kent kept his own counsel on his way back to Manhattan... less than twenty-four hours after he’d left it.  He didn’t go to the theatre; he figured he had the time off he might as well use it for the day at least.  And truthfully he was exhausted.  Between the whirlwind round-trip and what he had discovered while in Washington, he needed a little time and space to consider his next course of action.

Instead he went straight to the rooms he kept in the City for the times he was there.  Not that Charisma didn’t use them as well because she did on the rare occasion she made the trip with him.  They were simply something that he’d had since he’d reached majority and it never occurred to him to give them up once he and Charisma married.  He enjoyed visiting the City too much.

Now he looked around them closely and recognized that these rooms were strictly ‘his’ rooms.  Everything about them screamed bachelor pad though it had been tastefully decorated by one of the top interior designers in New York.  There hadn’t been a woman’s touch put on this place and as he looked around, Kent realized he hadn’t put much of a personal stamp on this place either.

He crossed over to the bar and poured himself a drink, taking a swallow and refilling it before moving to look out the window.  He stood there for a while, watching the sun sink lower towards the horizon.  When it disappeared from sight Kent turned back to the room.  He set down his now empty glass and headed into his bedroom.  He wanted a shower and some dinner.  Then he had some decisions to make.

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

Charisma and Adam reentered their home several hours after having left it and Charisma still wasn’t quite sure how she felt about their outing.  On the one hand, it had been... well, if not fun, at least it hadn’t been unbearable.  And it had been enlightening to a point.  Obviously Brianna was upset with her about something, but her innate good manners hadn’t let her do more than let Charisma know there was an issue that would have to be resolved privately between them.

Charisma looked down at her sleepy son.  Adam had been wonderful.  Not only had he broken the ice, he had positively charmed everyone including Brianna.  And that brought her focus right back to Brianna.  But before she could pursue that train of thought, Adam smiled up at her.

“Mama?”

Charisma couldn’t stop the smile he brought to her face, and she brushed his hair off his forehead then tugged his bedcovers up a little higher.  “Hmm?  What, Sweetie?  Did you have fun today?”

“Yes!” he confirmed stoutly, though he was too tired to be more enthusiastic about it.  “Br’anna good.  Es good.  Phira fun.”

Charisma laughed.  “She was, huh?  Did you like playing with Saphira?”

“Yes – go play again,” he demanded with an impish grin.

“Not today,” Charisma replied with a light chuckle against his neck that made Adam giggle in response.  “We’ll have to invite them over to visit us so you can share your toys with Saphira.  Would you like that, Son?”

“Br’anna too?” he asked seriously.

Charisma tilted her head.  “Why?” watching Adam scrunch his forehead up in a frown.  “Why do you like Brianna so much?”

“Br’anna good,” he stated plainly as if that explained everything.  And as far as Adam was concerned, it did.  He rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Br’anna good,” he repeated as he nodded off.  Charisma sighed, wondering again what kind of spell Brianna Walker had cast over her son.  Then she leaned forward and brushed a kiss over his forehead before turning out his bedside lamp and standing up.  She left his room, pulling the door closed without shutting it completely and heading back downstairs to her study.  She had work to do.

Charisma crossed the hall and reached for her key even as her hand touched the doorknob.  She frowned when she realized it wasn’t locked and let her mind wander over the morning.  Then she remembered she hadn’t bothered in her haste to get both herself and Adam ready to go visit Esmeralda and Saphira.  She shook her head at her carelessness and then pushed the door open.  She looked around her office briefly as she always did when she crossed the threshold of this room.  This space, more than any other in the whole house, was hers and she reveled in the sense of peace she got when she entered.

So Charisma sighed in contentment and left the door open in deference to being alone with her sleeping son.  She moved over to her desk to start working on the bills she still had to read over before she went to work on the morrow.  Then her attention was grabbed by the photo album she’d left resting on the coffee table that morning.

She folded her hands and focused her eyes on it for long moments.  Then Charisma deliberately turned her back on it and snatched up the first stack of legislation she needed to review.  It didn’t take long, however, before she found herself facing the table again and subsequently the album.

Charisma looked back down at the paperwork she was supposed to be concentrating on and realized the futility of her actions when she didn’t even recognize the bill she had hypothetically been studying for the last thirty minutes.  Heaving a disgusted sigh, she ran her hands through her hair and gave into the inevitable.

Laying her paperwork aside, Charisma pushed back from her desk and crossed to the divan.  She leaned over the coffee table, gently caressing the leather cover before she dropped onto the couch and pulled the book to her.  Then she laid back with her head against the arm and opened the album to the first page.  Her eyes sparkled with tears even as her lips curled into a smile.

“Oh Bri... what happened to us?”

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

 Brianna sighed deeply as she exited the bathroom that billowed clouds of steam out behind her.  She was comfortably wrapped in a thick, warm robe, hair up in a towel and fuzzy slippers on her feet.  She made her way into her kitchenette, grateful for the microwave.  She filled a cup with water and set the time, then pulled out a bag of her favorite tea, the honey and milk while she waited for it to heat.  When the machine beeped its readiness, she quickly prepared her tea, letting it steep while she removed the towel from her head. 

After a few minutes, she took the towel to the bathroom, grabbing her comb in its place and retrieved her tea... minus the bag.  Then she moved into her bedroom and curled up under the warm blankets with a sigh.  It had been a hell of a day and not at all what she expected.  She was surprisingly – and not at all pleasantly – exhausted.

Brianna had just finished drying her hair when the inner phone buzzed.  She sighed and looked at the clock, wondering why security was calling her so late.  Then she realized it wasn’t nearly as late as she felt like it should be, and she seized the handset.

“Yes?”

“Senator Walker?  This is Sergeant Orwin downstairs.  I’m sorry to disturb you, but we have a cleared guest who is asking to see you.”

Brianna frowned until the creases of her forehead squeaked with her effort.  “Sergeant, if they are on my cleared list, why are you calling me?”

Orwin cleared his throat.  “Actually ma’am – we have to call if anyone stops in without being scheduled to make sure you are available and willing to receive them.”  Brianna flushed at the slightest hint of scolding in his tone and recognized the reality of his words.  But before she could apologize, he continued. “But in this case, the visitor has been cleared by another senator... not you.”

“Excuse me?” waving her hand though she knew Orwin couldn’t see her.  “Sergeant, who is downstairs?”

“Mrs. Okasa Tagherty - Senator Charisma Tagherty’s mother.”

Brianna would have slapped her hand over her face had she not held a cup of hot tea in it.  As it was she was cognizant enough to be thankful for her restraint before she took a deep breath.  “Thank you for calling me, Sergeant.  Please allow Mrs. Tagherty to come up.”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied.  “Have a nice evening ma’am.”

“You too, Sergeant,” she answered, then clicked off the phone before returning it to the cradle beside her bed.  She contemplated getting dressed for all of thirty seconds then decided that since Okasa had seen her in her pajamas and robe before, it probably wouldn’t bother her now.

Instead she went looking to see what she had to offer a guest in her home even if the guest was practically family.  She realized pretty quickly that there wasn’t much so she shrugged and pulled out the fig newtons she used as a quick breakfast until she got to work.  They would have to do in a pinch.  Then a knock was sounding on her door, and she crossed the room to answer it.

Okasa stood on the other side, a large Rubbermaid container in hand and a nervous air around her entire being.  Brianna wondered what on earth she had gotten herself into when Okasa dropped the box and launched herself at Brianna.

Brianna, used to such outlandish greeting, simply braced herself and held on.  Okasa hugged her fervently and for once Brianna returned the hug with all the strength she could muster.  Today had battered and beaten her black and blue, and Okasa’s unreserved affection went a long way towards soothing her soul.

After a long moment, Okasa stepped back and cradled Brianna’s face in her hands.  Her eyes searched Brianna’s, nodding when she was finally satisfied with what she found.  Then she turned and picked up the box and stepped into Brianna’s apartment, closing the door behind her.

“Come in, Mama O,” Brianna gestured gracefully even through her confusion.  “Can I get you something?  Tea?  Milk?  Newtons?”

Okasa set the box on the small table in the living area, then turned and covered Brianna’s lips with her fingertips.  “Shh,” she instructed.  “I know you’re confused and wondering why I’m here... now.  I promise to tell you everything, but first things first.  I need the little girls’ room.”

Brianna pointed her to the correct door and took a seat on the small sofa.  Whatever Okasa wanted it wasn’t life or death.  So Brianna closed her eyes and focused on getting her heart rate back to normal.  For a few minutes she’d been terrified something had happened to....  She stopped herself.  She wasn’t going to allow herself to walk that particular path.  A touch on her shoulder made her jump and her eyes shot open to find Okasa looking at her in concern.

“Little Bri?  Are you all right?”

Brianna took a deep breath.  “I was going to ask you the same thing Mama O.  Didn’t I just talk to you this morning?” seeing Okasa nod.  “Has something happened?”

“Sort of,” Okasa confirmed, “but not like you’re thinking.  Everyone is fine – Paddy is with me here in town.  He went to get us a room for the night,” watching the confusion wash over Brianna’s face.  “I’ll explain, I promise.”

Brianna nodded.  “And the boys are okay?”

“Well, they’re gonna be jealous as all get out when they find out Papa and I will get to see you when they don’t, but otherwise they’re all fine.”

“All right,” Brianna agreed slowly.  “Then what’s the problem?  Why are you here?  Or rather,” realizing how rude that sounded, “what problem has brought you to my door this late in the evening with which I can help you?”

Okasa chuckled.  “Ah, Brianna – how I miss you.  I know... I know – but even when you were close it was hard to see you.  Not your fault,” Okasa added when Brianna’s eyes dropped to the ground.  “It’s just the way of life.  Kids grow up; they move on and move away.  Doesn’t mean we miss them any less.”

“So you’re here because you miss me?”

“That too,” Okasa admitted.  “But I am here now because I made you a promise twenty years ago, and I’d like you to promise me something now.”

Brianna looked at the box and then back to Okasa, a feeling of sick dread filling her belly.  “I won’t make a blind promise Okasa.”

“I’m not asking you to, Little Bri,” knowing Brianna had her hackles up.  “I’m asking you to listen to what I have to say first... then make me a promise.”

“I promise to listen, Okasa.  But beyond that....”

Okasa nodded.  “That’s all I can ask.”

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

Esmeralda and Saphira looked up from the table as the rest of the angels returned from their day out.  Without a word they circled around and took seats at the table, then stood around the periphery of the room where they could see Esmeralda when she spoke.  Esmeralda nodded to Ruby who started ladling out bowls of hot soup, passing them along until everyone had food in front of them. Only when they were all served did Esmeralda finally speak.

“First did everyone have a good day out?” asked with a tender smile and genuine interest.  Looks were exchanged and they all nodded, but no one spoke.  Esmeralda and Saphira traded wry looks.  “Guess we’re gonna have to tell about ours before we hear about theirs, huh?” garnering soft chuckles from around the room.  “Okay then... everyone dig in while it’s still hot and we’ll tell you all how our day went.”

“First however, I want you all to know you own a huge debt to Brianna and Charisma.  They did leftover dishes duty.  Ruby decided to clean out the refrigerator while they were here.”

“You didn’t!”

“Ruby!!”

“Are you serious??”

“How could you??”

Ruby looked back at them in all innocence and shrugged.  “What??” she protested.  “It was time.  Besides, you didn’t see the groceries Brianna brought that we had to make room for.  I had to do something with all that stuff,” holding up her bowl of soup.  “And I’m not hearing any complaints about supper.”

“Yeah,” Indi agreed, “but still....”

“But still nothing.  At least it kept them busy doing something besides skirting around each other for a change.”

“Okay, Ruby... that’s enough,” Esmeralda advised beaming and holding up her hands.  “I don’t mind if you tell it, but you need to tell it all and in the right order,” smiling when Ruby smirked and shrugged.

“You young people are no fun these day,” drawing snorts from everyone in the room.  “Where’s the challenge in that?”

“Like we don’t have enough of that around here already.  Keep it up, Granny,” Saphira warned.  “You might find out what real kids these days consider fun to be.”  Before she could continue, the front door banged open and Jade blew in on a cold, stiff wind.  Immediately everyone moved into action, making sure she got into the warmth beside the stove and had a bowl of hot soup in her hands.  Esmeralda waited until Jade caught her breath before she spoke.

“Everything all right, Jade?” seeing her nod.

“Yeah,” she replied after swallowing a mouthful of soup.  “Wait’ll you hear the stories I’ve got to tell.”


Chapter XXXVIII

Esmeralda scrubbed her hands through her hair when Jade finished her telling.  The girls had eaten and done up the dishes while they were listening so now it was just a matter of choosing the next course of action.  Saphira watched with troubled eyes as the hands moved from Esmeralda’s scalp to her temples, gently rubbing in a circular motion as though to will away a headache.  Without hesitation she rose and stood behind Esmeralda, kneading the knots out of her shoulders.

“Es?” her concerned voice a bare whisper in Esmeralda’s ear.  Esmeralda patted one of the hands rubbing the side of her neck.

“I’m all right, Saphira.  Just a bit of a headache.  I never expected them to be so stiff and polite....”

“... and at the same time so antagonistic,” Saphira added.  “I know; neither did I.  But it could have gone a lot worse.  We were lucky Adam was here.”

“How so?” Ame asked.  “Did you find a story he liked that they could relate to?” wondering at the sudden burst of giggles seeming to afflict Esmeralda, Saphira and Ruby.  She looked around, glad to note she wasn’t the only one missing the joke and raised an eyebrow at them.  “Would one of you like to let the rest of us in on it or should we start guessing?”

Saphira appeared to recover herself the quickest, and after a deep breath she met Ame’s eyes steadily.  “Tell us about Adam... the Adam you know.”

Ame scowled at the wording, but she held Saphira’s eyes.  “Um... well, he’s a quiet child mostly.  He reads a lot; or I should say, he loves to be read to and tries to read along.  He has several learning video games he plays, but there are also blocks and paints and basketball.  We take walks and go to the museum....  I’m not sure what you’re looking for here Phira. He’s a good kid.”

“He is a good kid,” Saphira agreed in all seriousness.  “And we’re really glad he was here today.  He kept things from becoming impossible between Charisma and Brianna.”

“And letting him streak naked through the kitchen screaming didn’t hurt either.”  All eyes turned to Esmeralda and she shrugged.  “It’s the truth,” rubbing her head again.  “Let me give you the Angel’s Notes version of our day, then I think I’m going to go lay down.  I can’t believe how stressful this day was.”  She turned to Saphira.  “Wasn’t it supposed to be easier for them with us around?”

Saphira bit her lip briefly.  “I think it was, Sweetheart.  But that doesn’t mean it was supposed to be easier for us.”  She caught Ruby’s eye and the subtle nod.  “Why don’t we let Ruby fill the girls in on what happened today?  We’re not gonna have a mad planning session tonight, are we?”

Esmeralda slowly shook her head.  “I don’t think so.  Truthfully I’m not really sure what more we can do at this point.  It’s basically up to them; we’re just here for support if they need it.”

“Okay, so let Ruby give them a quick rundown while I go start you a tub to soak in.  I’m sure the girls won’t mind hearing from Granny’ she gives them their marching orders in the mornings.”

“One of these days, Saphira,” Ruby threatened with a grin.  Esmeralda smiled tiredly at their banter.

“Sometimes I don’t understand how the two of you have managed to coexist for so many millennia.  Then I realized you have to be in the same space to have to actually coexist and you two rarely are.”

“The world is probably much better off,” Ruby offered with a smirk and Esmeralda nodded.  “Good – now that we have that settled, let your troublemaking half go run your bath and tuck you into bed.  The girls and I need to head to bed in a little while too.  Morning comes early you know.”

“All right – thanks Ruby.  If any of you think of anything....”

“We know where to find you, Es,” Opal assured her with a shooing motion.  “Now go!”

Esmeralda smiled and waved goodnight before entering the bedroom.  Saphira gave everyone a last look, then shut the door behind them.  They waited until they heard the second door open and the water start running before they took their eyes from the closed door.  But it wasn’t until they heard the inner door shut and the water stop running that they finally looked to Ruby for an explanation.

“Get comfortable, girls,” she commented.  “This is gonna take a few.”

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

“Will you join me?” Es asked softly as Saphira turned to make her way out of the bathroom.  “I know it’s small and we usually don’t with a houseful, but....”

“But what, Es?”

“I need to feel you, Phira.”

Blue eyes held green for a long moment, then Saphira nodded and stripped off her clothing before easing herself behind Esmeralda in the tub.  It was a tight squeeze and not truly comfortable, but they managed and Saphira resumed the massage she had started in the kitchen.  Esmeralda dropped her neck forward and sighed.

“That feels so wonderful,” she murmured.

Saphira leaned forward and kissed the slim neck beneath her fingertips.  “Yes it does,” letting her lips tickle the soft skin and chuckling soundlessly when Esmeralda squirmed.  “Now you wanna tell me what’s really bothering you, Sweetheart?”

“I’m not sure I can put it into words, Love.  It just feels like everything is slipping away from me.”

Saphira frowned and straightened up as much as the crowded tub allowed her.  “In what way, Es?  You don’t mean me...?”

“No, Phira, no!  You’ve been my one rock through this whole ordeal.  It’s everything else.  There’s Charisma and Brianna, both of whom I believe are beyond heavenly help at the moment, and yet they are still our responsibility until this thing reaches some sort of conclusion.  Then there’s Kent who wasn’t even considered enough of a factor in this at the beginning to warrant any sort of information on.  We’ve got the girls who are scrambling and getting hurt when at this point in the operation, we should all be either gearing up for the final push or packing up to go home.”

“What else?” Saphira asked in her ear quietly when the silence went on for too long.  “I know something else is eating away at you Es.  What is it?  Let me help.”

“You can’t, Phira.  I don’t think anyone can except for Him.”  Esmeralda paused and took a shuddering breath.  Saphira reached forward and instinctively brushed the wetness from Esmeralda’s cheeks. “Something’s wrong and we both know it!”  She twisted until she could meet Saphira’s eyes in her periphery then continued.  “I don’t know what’s wrong, but I do know everything isn’t the way it’s supposed to be either – not like it was before.  I’m not getting better like I should.”

Saphira nodded.  “How do you feel?” 

“Tired, mostly... like I haven’t recovered my strength or my stamina.”  She clenched her hands into fists and slammed them into her thighs in frustration.  “It shouldn’t be like this, Phira.  It shouldn’t be taking so long for me to feel like myself again!”  As quickly as it flared her anger dissipated and Esmeralda curled into Saphira’s body seeking comfort.

This Saphira could do easily, and she did so without hesitation.  She brushed a kiss over the blonde head tucked awkwardly under her chin and rubbed her hands up and down arms that were chilly due to their exposure to the cooler air in the room.

Without warning Saphira stood up and pulled Esmeralda with her.  “C’mon,” she offered, pulling the thick towels from the rod and wrapping them both up quickly.  “The whole point of the hot bath was to get you warm and relaxed.  You can’t get warm with me in there with you, and you won’t relax if I get out without you.  So we’ll both get out and go curl up in the middle of the bed.  The blanket should have it warmed by now and we can relax together.”

Esmeralda nodded but didn’t say anything else. She felt much like the tub, she thought idly as she watched the water whirlpool down the drain.  Then Saphira was taking her hand and she put the metaphor from her mind as she followed her mate to their bed.

They curled up together in the center of the mattress, sighing in relief when the warmth of the heating blanket surrounded them.  “This is nice,” Esmeralda confessed.

“Um hmm,” Saphira agreed, embracing Esmeralda firmly before she shifted them until she could look down into Esmeralda’s eyes.  Esmeralda cocked a questioning brow.  Despite her concern and her rigid belief that something was seriously wrong, being held in the comfort of Saphira’s arms made everything seem more manageable.  She reached up a hand to trace the smooth planes and contours of Saphira’s face and smiled gently when she closed her eyes to relish Esmeralda’s touch.

“I love you,” Esmeralda murmured, stunned by the look of sheer need and desire reflected in the blue orbs that were filled with love just for her.

“Oh Es - I love you too… so much.  And I want you to understand something right now, and believe it if you never believe anything else, all right?” waiting for Esmeralda to nod.  “Good.  I want you to know that I do understand your frustration and aggravation with this whole healing process you’re having to endure.  And I’m so sorry about that,” catching the fingers that would have covered her lips.  “No, Es – the blame for that more than anything else lies strictly at my feet and I willingly accept that responsibility.  I will spend the rest of our eternal days together trying to make that up to you.  But beyond that,” she added, holding up a finger and glowering to keep Esmeralda from interrupting, “I do believe with all my heart that you will recover from this, Es.  It may take longer than we want it to or hope it will, but you will recover.  And you know why?” watching the blonde head shake slowly.  “Because He needs you, Es.  He needs you almost as much as I do.”

“You really think so, Phira?”

“Oh no, Love – I know so.”

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” Esmeralda asked with a tender expression on her face.  She raised her hands to cup Saphira’s cheeks and gently stroke her cheekbones and brows.

Saphira arched an eyebrow.  “As I recall, you hit me in the head with a mud ball,” trying to look at least a little bit put out by Esmeralda’s selective memory.   But the twinkle in her eyes gave her away. 

Esmeralda moved one hand to pop her lightly on the hip.  “Brat!” she complained as she threaded her hands into Saphira’s dark hair and pulled them closer.

“But you love me anyway,” Saphira proclaimed as she leaned forward. 

Esmeralda didn’t bother to answer.  She let her lips speak for her directly.  Saphira got the message loud and clear.

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

“Okasa, pardon my bluntness, but have you lost your mind?!  Do you know what you’re asking of me?”  Brianna jumped up from her spot on the couch and paced in front of the table that held the dreaded box.  She glared at it briefly, then resumed her pacing, hands clenched together.

Okasa had taken a seat beside Brianna while she spoke.  Now she leaned back into the far corner of the divan and watched Brianna pace, knowing she needed the release before there would be any calm, rational discussion between them – if it was still possible.  She and Patrick had discussed the possibilities on the trip down and though Okasa recognized this as one of the choices he’d laid out for her as the most likely response, it wasn’t the one she wanted or even hoped for.

“Brianna....” she started, then stopped immediately when Brianna help up an imperious finger.

“No, no,” she scolded with a desperate smile.  “You had your turn to talk, and I listened just like I promised you I would.  You don’t get to talk anymore now.”

“But Brianna....”

“Okasa – I’m not kidding.  I’m still trying to decide whether to be furiously angry with you or unbearably hurt.  The only thing you have going in your favor at the moment is that you came and talked to me about this instead of just giving the letters directly to Charisma.”

“I did consider it,” Okasa confessed, seeing a glimmer of hurt flash through the green eyes facing her.  “But you’re a part of this family too, Little Bri.  And I would never forgive myself if I did something to make you feel otherwise.  I would never betray your trust on this, Brianna.  It’s too important to everyone... not just you and Charisma.”  She paused briefly.  “Is it wrong that I want my whole family back together again?”

Brianna sighed and let her shoulders slump in defeat.  “It may not be wrong, Mama O, but you need to understand it’s impossible.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

Brianna nodded sadly.  “In this case, it does.  I cannot... WILL not... be the one to break the stalemate between us, Okasa.  I bent over backwards for twenty years to ensure her success and she can’t bring herself to offer me more than professional courtesy.”  She snorted.  “Sometimes she can’t even offer me that.  No, Mama – I will not offer these letters to her and neither will you.  If there’s something she wants to know, she can ask.  I’m right here.  But I’m not going to keep enabling her.  I can’t.”

Okasa nodded and rose.  “I understand, Brianna.  I really do.  I just wish it hadn’t turned out like this.”

Brianna offered her a wistful smile.  “I wish a lot of things hadn’t turned out the way they have, Mama, but you can only play the cards you’re dealt even when all you’ve got is a lot of nothing.”

Okasa nodded, but didn’t reply otherwise.  Instead she moved towards the door.  Brianna picked up the box to follow, but Okasa shook her head.  “No, Little Bri.  That’s not for my keeping any longer.  It’s yours now.  You do what you want with it.”

“But....”

“You mind now, young lady.  I need to get back to Patrick. If we can arrange it before we go back home, will you have lunch with us?  Just me and Paddy?”

“Of course, Mama.  You let me know when and where.”

Okasa smiled.  “I know better.  I’ll call and see when you’re available and fit our schedule to it.”  She turned back to Brianna, removed the box from her grip and placed it on the table before she opened her arms for a hug.  Brianna didn’t even hesitate, but stepped into the embrace and held on tightly for a long moment.  “Don’t be mad at me, Brianna, or angry with me either.  What I did here was borne out of love and affection for you both.”

“I know, Mama O.  I love you too.  Are you certain you’re okay to go back to Paddy this late alone?”

Okasa smiled.  “He’s coming to get me if he’s not waiting outside already.  You know the man has the patience of Job.”

“Oh, Mama – he could have come upstairs.  It’s too cold to be sitting in the car tonight.”

“And knowing me Paddy, he came into the lobby as soon as he got here and is sitting downstairs with Sergeant Orwin watching whatever sporting event is on at the moment.  I promise you, Brianna – Patrick Tagherty can take care of himself.”

“Truer words were never spoken,” Brianna muttered, gaining her another smile and hug from Okasa.

“However, I see no reason to make him wait longer than necessary or to keep you up any longer.”  Okasa cupped Brianna’s face carefully in her hands.  “You look exhausted, my dear.  Don’t let this job kill you, Little Bri.  It’ll take over your life if you let it.”

“Two years, Okasa.  That’s all I said I would do.”  Okasa nodded but said nothing until they reached the door.  Then they briefly embraced before Brianna opened the door.  “Be careful, Mama O.”

“Get some rest, Little Bri.  Goodnight.”

Brianna watched until the elevator door closed behind Okasa, then she shut her apartment door.  She glared balefully at the Rubbermaid box, then deliberately turned her back to it and went back into her bedroom.  Everything would wait until tomorrow.  Now it was time to sleep.

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

And in Manhattan Kent sat in the dark looking out at the night sky.  He missed the stars here, but the skyline made up for it in so many ways, and he could feel the energy of the City pulsing around and through him as a living entity.  He wondered if he could give it all up – if he’d want to.  Then he determined that before he made any major decisions, he would watch and wait and observe.

With his mind made up on that score, he rose and closed the curtains in the living room; after all, he still had neighbors even this high up.  Tonight he would go to bed and sleep.  Tomorrow he would go back to the theatre and go back to work.  The tomorrows after that would have to care for themselves as they came along. 

For now he would remain in the shadows and watch.


Chapter XXXIX

It was several days later before Charisma and Brianna chanced to run into one another again.  Although they hadn’t consciously been avoiding one another, it was their first meeting since their Sunday afternoon at Esmeralda’s and both were at something of a loss to find words to say to each other.  After a long moment of awkward staring, Charisma shook her head and chuckled sadly as her eyes dropped to the floor.

Despite herself Brianna felt a pang of concern ripple through her and she briefly placed a gentle hand on Charisma’s arm, leaving it there until blue eyes lifted to meet green.  Then she sucked in a breath at the pain that was reflected back to her and she pulled her hand away as a matter of course.  Charisma caught it and held on; not tight enough to cause injury but firmly.  Brianna looked at their joined hands and then back at Charisma’s eyes.

“Charisma?”

Charisma held her gaze, then took a deep breath and nodded.  “Will you join me for lunch?”

Brianna blinked.  Whatever she’d expected to come from Charisma’s mouth, those words weren’t even in the top one hundred possibilities.  “Excuse me?”

“Will you join me for lunch?” Charisma repeated, then shook her head at Brianna’s continued dumbfounded expression.  “You know what... never mind.”  Charisma squeezed the hand she held once, then dropped it and turned away, shaking her head again.  This time Brianna did the holding – catching Charisma by the bicep before she could walk away.

“Charisma?  Charisma, talk to me.  I think I deserve that much.”

“Have lunch with me.”  This time the words actually made sense to Brianna’s brain and she nodded her agreement almost without conscious thought. 

“All right,” she decided. “But you have to talk to me.”

Now it was Charisma’s turn to blink.  She hadn’t expected Brianna to capitulate at all - and to have her agreement so easily and so quickly....  She shook her head again and then nodded.  “Okay.  I need to let my office know.  Would you like to walk with me or should we meet in the dining room?”

“We can walk together.  I should let my girls know as well,” motioning Charisma down the hall.  They walked together silently, oblivious to the hustle and bustle of the comings and goings around them.  Brianna stopped at her office, surprised when Charisma followed her in.

“Ladies,” Brianna announced without preamble, “Senator Tagherty and I are going to lunch.  If you need me, just page me, but it better be an emergency.”  She turned to Indi.  “What time is my next appointment?”

“Three o’clock, Senator – committee meeting.”

“Very well.  We should be back long before then.”  She looked at Charisma.  “Shall we?”  Without a word Charisma nodded and they left the way they’d come.  The staff silently watched them go, but when the door was shut and a full minute had passed, they looked around at one another in amazement. 

“Did we just...?”

“Was that...?”

“Did they actually...?”

Indi held up her hands and the mutterings stopped immediately.  She met each pair of eyes and offered the tiniest smile of her own. “Yes, we did; yes, that was; and yes, they did.  I think I should probably call Es and give her a heads up.  The rest of you,” waving her arms dramatically, “get back to work.”  Chuckles followed her pronouncement, but everyone settled back down.  Indi picked up the phone and dialed Charisma’s office, figuring Opal would need to be in on the call if Esmeralda was going to get the full story.  And she was pretty sure Esmeralda was going to want to whole story.

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

Esmeralda pinched the bridge of her nose and looked at Saphira who simply returned the stare with a shrug.  They both turned back to the speakerphone where Opal and Indi were patiently waiting for... something.  Esmeralda sighed.

“Thanks guys.  Continue to keep an eye out and let me know if things become vastly different after this lunch meeting.  I don’t expect them to, but you never know... especially with these two.”

“Will do, Es.”

“Okay, Es.”

“Good job to both of you.  Thanks for the heads up.  My job should be interesting tonight.”  With that they signed off and Saphira took the handset back to the cradle and resumed her seat by Esmeralda.

“Does this mean things are finally going the way they’re supposed to?”

“Well, it means things are finally moving of their own accord.  That is to say, Brianna and Charisma are behind the movement.”

“So we may be done with this assignment soon.”

“Could be,” Esmeralda agreed.  “Although it’s not like we have anywhere else to go, Phira.  This is our home now.”

“Maybe not... I mean, maybe if I apologize....” she started, watching startled green eyes widen at her words.  Saphira had sworn she wouldn’t apologize for doing what she thought was right, no matter the cost.  And the cost had been everything they’d held dear.  And though Esmeralda certainly missed what they’d had in Paradise, she had never begrudged giving it all up to stay with Saphira.  And now Saphira was willing to do the one thing she’d refused the Father?

“Saphira?  Sweetheart?  Why?  Why would you do that?  Have you changed your mind?”

“No - not at all.  I still believe it was the right thing to do despite everything.  But Es... if I apologize we can go home and He’ll make you better.  You won’t have to suffer anymore.  You shouldn’t have to continue to suffer because of me.”

“I thought you believed I was going to get better.”

“I did... I do.  But....”

“No, Phira,” Esmeralda insisted, shaking her head emphatically.  “I will get better; you said so yourself.  And if it takes a little longer, that’s fine.  I don’t want you to dishonor the sacrifices we’ve made.  They have to count for something.  Besides,” holding up a hand when Saphira would have broken in, “He would know if you were only saying it from your lips and not your heart.”

“I can be sorry for having done it without believing I was wrong for doing so,” Saphira protested weakly, knowing He would never accept that as a viable apology.  But it was killing her to watch Esmeralda suffer everyday for something Saphira was being punished for.  Then Esmeralda was changing the subject and Saphira put the thoughts out of her mind for the time being.

“At any rate, work should be interesting tonight.  Wonder if either of them will share about their luncheon together.  Neither of them has been very talkative this week so far.”

“Why’s that?” Saphira asked, this being the first time Esmeralda had brought it up.

“There’s probably a lot of thinking going on.  If I was a betting person, I’d say they’re both trying to figure out what to do now – especially since their original plans have gone up in smoke.”

“Shouldn’t it be obvious?”

Esmeralda smiled wryly and shook her head.  “Twenty years of habit is hard to break.  And it’s scary to step out of a groove that deep.”

“I guess,” Saphira replied hesitantly.  “I just don’t get this situation at all, but then I usually don’t deal with this stuff either.  Have you heard from Mal?”

“Not yet.  I sent Jade out this morning to see what she can find out so I expect we’ll have a report from that side before the end of the day.  Now c’mon... it’s time to get ready for work.”  Saphira groaned, but rolled from her seat and stood up, stretching.  Esmeralda winced when she heard all the bones popping into place, then smiled when Saphira sighed deeply.  “Better?” she asked with a smile.

“Much,” Saphira confirmed.  “I should be able to walk without stooping now.”

“I’m sure Matilda will appreciate that.”

Saphira snorted.  “I’m sure the customers will.  Less food tends to end up in their laps.”  She held out her hands and pulled Esmeralda to her feet.  “C’mon.  You want me to have Ruby tell Jade to meet us at the diner tonight?”

Esmeralda shook her head.  “No.  We can’t talk in front of Matilda and Joe.  But ask her to make sure she’s awake and downstairs when we get home.”

Saphira nodded and led the way into their bedroom to finish their preparations for work.

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

Charisma and Brianna took seats at a table for two tucked away in a quiet corner near a window.   They remained silent for a few minutes, waiting for the server to come take their order.  Only when that was done and the young man was gone did Brianna lean forward and turn her full attention to Charisma.

“All right Charisma – talk to me.  What’s going on with you?”

Charisma looked away from the window and met Brianna’s intense gaze.  She took a deep breath.  “I miss you,” she confessed softly.

Brianna leaned back in her chair, stunned by Charisma’s words.  Apparently this was Charisma Tagherty’s day to rock Brianna Walker’s world, and Brianna wasn’t sure she really cared for it.  She’d been off-kilter since Sunday with Charisma and Adam showing up unexpectedly at Esmeralda’s; Okasa showing up at her apartment; and now this unlooked for lunch invitation.  Part of her was surprised.  Part of her was confused.  But the biggest part of her was torn between hurt and anger and it was this part that responded.

“You miss me,” she replied flatly, crossing her arms over her chest.  “Why?” watching the frown lines form between Charisma’s eyes.  “Why, Charisma?  Why do you miss me?  And why now??” her voice never rising above a fierce whisper.  “You haven’t missed me for twenty years.”

Tears filled Charisma’s blue eyes, but fire sparked behind them and she refused to allow the tears to fall.  “That’s not true!  I missed you every damn day, Brianna.  You walked out of my life without a word and I could never figure out why.”

Brianna bit her lip to keep from saying anything.  She wasn’t going to start a scene in the Senate Dining Room and she’d sworn to Okasa that she wasn’t going to be the one to cross the chasm.  If Charisma wanted answers, she was going to have to ask the hard questions.

“Well?!” Charisma demanded, crossing her arms over her chest in mimicry of Brianna’s position. 

Brianna sighed and raked a hand through her hair.  “Charisma – you didn’t want to know then and you certainly don’t want to know now.” 

“That’s it?  That’s all you have to say??”

“What would you like me to say, Charisma?  What brought all this on anyway?  A week ago, you didn’t want to have anything to do with me at all; even professional courtesy was a stretch for you.  And now suddenly you want to be my best friend again?  What gives?”

Charisma suddenly slumped in her chair visibly deflated.  “I had forgotten how good we were together, Bri. And as awkward as things were between us Sunday, it made me remember so much.  So much more than the anger I’ve been holding onto for years.  Besides, my son loves you.”

“So you’re doing this for Adam?”

Charisma’s eyes dropped to the table for a long moment.  “I don’t know,” she replied honestly.  “Maybe I’m doing it for all of us.  I just know after the other day I have to do something.  I don’t think I can keep being mad; I don’t think I want to.  Twenty years is a long time to hang onto something like that.” 

“Can’t you just leave it alone?  You were fine without me in your life for twenty years.  Can’t you just ignore me for the next two?  I promise once it’s over you won’t see or hear from me again.”

“What if I want to?  What if I want you back in my life and to be back in yours?”

“What if I don’t?” Brianna asked bitingly.  “Like you pointed out in this very room just the other day, this is too hard.”

“Only if we let it be.”  Charisma paused a moment, unsure why she was pushing so hard for something she had done without for so long.  “If you don’t want to try and pick our friendship up from where we left off, do you think we could try starting over instead?”

Their server chose that moment to return with their food and they straightened up to allow him to place their plates in front of them.  He carefully refilled their drinks and moved away from the table, sensing the tension that rolled off both women in waves.

They focused on their food, concentrating on nothing except eating the meal in front of them.  Neither of them was willing to show how upset their dialogue had made them and slowly, methodically they made their way through their repast without exchanging a word.  When they were done they pushed their plates away and accepted coffee from their waiter, finally meeting each other’s eyes again.

“I’m not sure I can do this, Charisma. I’m not sure I want to.”

“Can I ask what changed?  I thought you wanted this to work between us.”

“I did,” Brianna said honestly.  “Until you made it brutally clear that you couldn’t, wouldn’t make the effort.  I decided to give up and move on.”

Charisma let her eyebrow creep into her hairline.  “Since when do you give up?”

“Since I’m black and blue from being beaten down by my supposed best friend.”

“I’m sorry, Bri,” Charisma said sincerely.  “I was angry and hurt and....”

Brianna held up her hand, more exhausted than she could ever remember being.  “I’d be willing to start over, Charisma.  But don’t expect it to be the same.  It can’t be.”

“Will you tell me why you left?”

Brianna looked at her watch and rose, pushing the chair up under the table and resting her hands on the high back.  “One day maybe.”  She paused.  “But not here and not now.”

“When, Brianna?  When do I get to know?” rough and impatient.

“One day, Charisma - when you’re really ready for the answer and are willing to ask the hard questions to get it.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.  And so do you I imagine.  Thank you for lunch.”  She started to leave, then turned back for a brief moment.  “Give me a call, Charisma.  Maybe we can set up some time to do this again.”  Then without another word Brianna left the dining room.  Charisma just watched her go.  She had a lot to consider.

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

“What troubles you, old friend?” Doug asked with a hand on Kent’s shoulder as he took a seat at what had become Kent’s regular table over the years.  “Forget your lines at the theatre tonight?”

Kent raised an eyebrow.  “What makes you think anything’s wrong?  And when have you ever known me to forget my lines?  And before you say it, that time at dress rehearsal doesn’t count.  I was more than a little drunk.”

“And high from some incredible marathon sex with... what was that girl’s name again?  Musty?  Dusty?”

“Misty, you bastard,” Kent replied with a fond smile.  “Oh yeah... she was something else.  Wonder whatever happened to her.”

“Maybe we should go to a reunion some time and find out.”

Kent snorted.  “My luck – she’s a CEO of a worldwide bank somewhere.  I’m doomed to be surrounded by extremely successful women.”

“Is that a bad thing?”  Doug frowned when he caught the melancholy expression on Kent’s face.  “Trouble in paradise?” wondering if this perhaps was the heart of the matter.

He shrugged.  “I dunno,” he replied candidly, a little surprised but feeling lighter having made the confession.  “Sometimes I wonder if I’m missing out on the important things in life by being here, pursuing my theatre career instead of....”

“Instead of playing house-husband to a US Senator?  Why should you?  You’re entitled to a life and a career too, Kent.”

“Maybe.  I do love it here, and the show is doing well.  Did you see the reviews we got today?” turning his attention and Doug’s to another train of thought.  He had already made arrangements to be off for the next few Sundays.  With a little luck, the overnight trips home would put the niggling at the back of his mind at ease.  Then he could get back to living his life instead of wondering when the rug was going to be pulled out from under him.


Chapter XL

“I did it,” Charisma proclaimed in an excited whisper as she pulled Esmeralda into her office.  Esmeralda dutifully followed, though it meant she was off her normal schedule.  Obviously Charisma felt the need to share and Esmeralda certainly wasn’t going to discourage that.  So she parked her cleaning cart and began removing the items she needed even as she met Charisma’s eyes.

“Wonderful!” Esmeralda cheered with a bright smile.  “What did you do?”

“I invited Brianna to lunch, and we... talked.  Sorta – I mean, we did talk, but it was nothing like I expected it would be, you know?  It wasn’t anything like I hoped, BUT – I did invite her and we did have a conversation.  And she even agreed to do it again.”

Esmeralda’s eyes widened.  “That’s a good thing, right?” seeing the frown mar Charisma’s features and hastening on.  “I’m sorry, Charisma – I’m a little confused.  Just last week you were resistant to spending time with her when you had chaperones and now you’re seemingly over the moon about sitting down alone together.  Don’t get me wrong – I’m thrilled especially if it makes you both happy.  I’m just a little confused.”

Charisma snorted but smiled.  “So am I actually if you want to know the truth.  But this feels... for the first time in like forever this feels right.”  She took Esmeralda’s hand and led her to the couch, immediately taking a seat beside her.  “I’m still angry and hurt and confused.  And until we get everything worked out between us, I probably will be.  But I realized the other day that Brianna felt the same things I do.  I don’t know why yet, but I intend to.  And Adam made me understand that the people suffering were the only people who could fix it, and if Brianna was willing why shouldn’t I be?”

“And is Brianna willing?”

“Yes.”

Now Esmeralda smiled wholeheartedly, opening her arms for a hug and Charisma responded without hesitation.  Esmeralda held her tightly, feeling the silent sobs that shook Charisma’s body.  She brushed a light kiss over Charisma’s temple and whispered, “I’m so glad, Charisma.  I hope this works out beautifully for both of you.”

Charisma pulled back and smiled into Esmeralda’s eyes, sweeping a lock of hair of her face.  “You’re one in a million, Es.  I hope Saphira knows how lucky she is.”

“Oh, I think we’re both pretty lucky, Charisma.  Now don’t you need to get home to that boy of yours?”

Charisma dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her knuckles, then straightened and rose from the divan.  “Actually yes – I’m hoping Saphira hasn’t given him a new bath time game.”

“You mean the streaking thing,” Esmeralda stated flatly as she moved back towards her cart to gather her supplies so she could get to work.

“Uh... YES.  He never did that before he met her, but now it seems to be becoming a nightly event according to Ame.”

“I did warn you she had a way with kids because she was a kid at heart, right?”

Charisma chuckled.  “Yes, you did.  And to tell the truth, he’s blossomed after spending just one afternoon with her.  I can’t imagine the corruption if he had days on end with her.”  She waggled her eyebrows.  “Are you two available again on Sunday next?”

Esmeralda laughed.  “Are you sure you’re ready for that again so soon?”

“I meant what I said about cultivating your friendship, Esmeralda.  I really like you and Saphira and so does Adam.  Personally I think he believes she’s his own personal superhero.  And to be completely honest I’d like to invite Brianna over as well, and I’d feel more comfortable with you and Saphira there.  But I figure you may need a little recovery time from last week, hence the invite for next Sunday and not this one.”

“I’ll talk to Saphira.  I know she’ll be willing, but let me make sure she doesn’t have plans for something else that day.  Sometimes when the weather’s good, we go out to the Mall and take a picnic or visit the museums.”

“I haven’t done that in a long time,” Charisma responded wistfully.  “Sometimes I miss having time just to do what I want or be just Charisma.  Sometimes I think she got lost in the politics that living here and being part of the political machine is.”

“Maybe.  But maybe in reconnecting with Brianna, you’ll be able to find her again.”

“That’d be nice – highly unlikely but nice.”  Charisma moved over behind her desk, shutting down her laptop and stuffing it and the bills she needed to review into her briefcase.  “Let me get out of here so you can get done and go home.  No reason to worry Saphira if you don’t have too, right?”

Esmeralda nodded.  “Yeah – she worries enough without me adding to it.  Goodnight, Senator Tagherty.”

“Goodnight, Es.”

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

“Brianna?” Esmeralda called out as she knocked on the door.  “Senator Walker?”  When there was no answer, Esmeralda opened the door to the inner office and pushed her cart ahead of her.  She closed the door and reached for the light switch, only to have her hand stayed by the sound of Brianna’s voice in the dark.

“Leave it off, please.”

Esmeralda’s head snapped up and she peered around in the near pitch darkness, finding a tiny light coming from the direction of Brianna’s desk.  “Brianna?” she asked softly.  “Are you all right?”

“I don’t think so, Es.”

Esmeralda gave silent thanks for the advantages of Angel vision and slowly threaded her way across the room until she was standing beside Brianna’s desk.  A quick look showed her clearly what the light was shining on and Esmeralda gestured towards it.  “May I?”

Brianna handed it over to Esmeralda and turned on the brighter desk lamp so Esmeralda could actually see what she was holding.  Esmeralda leaned down, surprised to find that the photograph she held was not the one she expected it to be.  Instead it showed Brianna and Charisma in what appeared to be a private moment backstage after a performance.  Esmeralda wanted to ask, but before she could open her lips to speak Brianna began to explain.

“I was a double major in college – one in law, of course, and one in the theatre.  I figured the theatre degree could be put to good use in the courtroom if utilized correctly, and I was right,” she said with a proud smile.  Esmeralda returned the smile and studied the picture once more.  Brianna started talking again.  “What I didn’t know when I decided to have a theatre major was that it meant I had to learn all aspects of the theatre – acting, lighting, sound, set building, costume design and writing.  Most of it was easy enough and I enjoyed it.  After a day studying the law it was a welcome break and a chance to be creative.”

“So what happened?” Esmeralda asked when the silence began to drag on uncomfortably.

“I had to write.”  Esmeralda’s eyebrows went into her hairline and her eyes widened comically.  Brianna chuckled at her expression.

“Was it a bad thing?”

Brianna sighed.  “No... not really.  I was actually very good at it.  A little too good, maybe,” she added, biting her lip.  “Professor Mac – my theatre prof – chose my play to be introduced to the student body during the Spring Bonanza.  Trust me... it was a really big deal,” Brianna explained, waving off Esmeralda’s questions.  “I had put my heart and soul into this play; it exposed me in ways nothing ever had before.”

“Or since, I imagine.”

“Or since,” Brianna agreed.  “But it was really good and exceptionally well received.”

“And the picture?” Esmeralda prompted when Brianna stopped speaking.  Brianna reached for the picture and Esmeralda released it, watching Brianna’s expression shift as she studied it with both eyes and hands.

“The picture was something I didn’t know about until some time later.  At the end of the night, before the bows were taken or the accolades received, Charisma made her way backstage.  You have to understand that she was a confirmed first-nighter for every performance I was part of in college.  It didn’t matter how big or small the part, Charisma was always there for the first night’s performance.  Everyone learned very quickly who she was and that we were best friends.  So by the time our Senior Spring Bonanza rolled around, no one even questioned her right to be backstage before the play was even properly over.  She was one of us.”

“Okay, so...?” motioning to the photograph Brianna was still absently caressing.

“The moment she got backstage, she wrapped me up in a hug so tight,” shaking her head as she waved the picture.  “Professor Mac snapped this picture without our knowledge though he did send me a copy of it later.  He commented on what a beautiful couple we were and hoped that we would be able to find happiness together in life.”

“What did you tell him?”

“What could I tell him?  I knew that was never going to happen.  Charisma and I had talked about it and she told me in no uncertain terms that she would never derail her political aspirations for love with a woman... even me.”  Brianna looked down at the picture again and smiled through her tears.  “Es, it was amazing.  She surrounded me and I knew I never wanted to be anywhere else but in her arms.  In her arms I was safe and sheltered and loved.”

“So why did you go to Europe with her?  Why didn’t you just leave after graduation?”

Brianna’s laugh was painfully sad.  “It sounds like that would be the smart thing to do, doesn’t it?  It sounds like it would be so easy.”  She shook her head again.  “I couldn’t.  I wanted that trip with her and the memories it would give me because I knew there would never be a chance for more.  I tried to convince myself that it would be easier to say goodbye if I had something to hang on to.”  She snorted.  “Sometimes I wonder how I’ve ever been as successful as I’ve been as a lawyer because even I didn’t believe that one.”

“And you couldn’t just tell her the truth?”

“No more than I can now,” her voice bitter.

“Then why are you doing this, Brianna?  If she can’t accept what’s between you, why are you letting her back into your life?”  Esmeralda waited patiently for the answer.  She wanted Brianna to be sure of what she was doing and why she was doing it.  Because if things went wrong this time, there was no next time and no more chances.

“I thought you wanted me to, Es.  I thought you wanted us to be friends.”

“I think it would be fantastic if you two could be friends again.  You’re obviously so good together, or you were at one time,” motioning to the pictures scattered around the office.  “But this isn’t about me and what I want. I thought you had decided to move on.” She paused a moment.  “I want you to be happy, Brianna, and you don’t seem very happy about this turn of events.  And I feel a little responsible for that since I invited her and Adam to join us Sunday and that seems to be what has precipitated this change of heart for you.”

Brianna took a deep breath.  “You’re right.  I had decided to move on, accepting that our friendship was over and nothing but a lost cause as far as she was concerned.  Charisma made it abundantly clear she would never forgive me for leaving even though she refused to acknowledge why.  She’s still refusing to do that, by the way.”  Brianna turned and met Esmeralda’s eyes, both of them glittering black in the darkness.  “Es, have you ever had something you really wanted - even though you knew it was bad for you and was probably going to do more harm than you could possibly live through – have you ever had something like that handed to you?  As much as I need Charisma out of my life, I want her there,” as if that explained everything.

And maybe to Esmeralda it did because she simply nodded her head in acceptance.  “Will you tell her the truth?  Why you left and why you stayed away?”

“If she asks, I’ll tell her.  The worst she can do is dismiss me from her life, and I’ve already lived like that for almost twenty years.  And in the meantime, maybe I can make a few more memories to hold onto for the rest of my life.”

“You’re so sure she’ll reject you.”

“Yeah, I really am.  But I’m like a drug addict and she’s my drug of choice.  And she will never, ever accept what that means.”

“And if by some miracle she does?”

“She won’t.  But maybe she’ll have grown enough to still be my friend.”

Esmeralda covered Brianna’s hand.  “Saphira and I’ll be here for you if you ever need to talk.”

Brianna squeezed the hand covering hers.  “I know.  And I appreciate it so much more than you know.  I don’t know what I would have done without you both.”  She turned and noticed the time.  “Holy shit!  I’m making you obscenely late.  Saphira’s going to have a duck.”

Esmeralda blinked.  “Well, that’d be something of a feat, I’m sure,” smiling when Brianna burst into laughter. 

“Oh Es... you’re priceless.  C’mon now and let’s get this room straightened up.  Then I’ll give you a lift to the diner.  Don’t....” she instructed, holding up an imperious hand.  “It’s my fault you’re going to be late regardless of how you get there.  So you can just let me give you a ride over so I can explain it to Saphira myself.  In fact....” motioning Esmeralda to do her thing.  Brianna snatched her cell phone out of her desk and scrolled through her contacts until she found the number she was looking for.  A brief phone call later and.... “All done.  Matilda will tell Saphira I am bringing you over because I made you late.  Then she won’t worry when she sees the car pull up.”

“You’re pretty slick there, Senator Walker,” Esmeralda complimented with a smile, noting Brianna seemed better for having refocused her attention.  She wondered what that meant for their earlier discussion, then figured Brianna had probably had all she could stand for now.  At least Esmeralda had some idea of what was going on with both of them and both Brianna and Charisma knew she was available if they needed to talk.  Then Brianna answered her.

“Lawyer, remember?  Slick is my middle name.”

“Your mother must have really struggled to come up with that one,” she stated deadpanned, eyes twinkling at Brianna’s gobsmacked expression.  Then she settled down to finish up her work while Brianna wrapped up hers.  It was time to go home.

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

“I’m really glad Brianna thought to call,” Saphira said as they made their way up the front walk.  When they reached the door, Ruby opened it on cue.  They turned and waved to Brianna, watching as Jas slowly pulled the car away before they turned to enter the house.  Ruby opened the door wider and welcomed them in.

“What are you doing up, Ruby?  It’s late... we’re late.”

“I know.  I was a little concerned until Jas called and let me know that you were with her.”  She shrugged when Esmeralda raised an eyebrow waiting for the rest of the explanation.  “Jade’s here.  I’d kind of like to hear what she has to say.”

“But you need your sleep too.  Ruby, you don’t wanna get rundown like I did.”

“I won’t, Es.  I’ve been napping on the couch.”

“All right,” shrugging out of her coat and watching Saphira catch it before it hit the floor.  “Thank you, Phira,” she offered with a smile, then turned to Ruby.  “Where’s Jade now?”  A dirty blonde head stuck itself out of the kitchen door.

“Did somebody call me?”

“Yep, you betcha,” Esmeralda replied, smiling when Saphira caught her hand and led her into the kitchen.  “Is this going to be a short telling or a long one?” with a look at Jade.  “Should we make coffee or stick with milk?”

“I’d stick with the milk.  The telling won’t take long, and what you do with it....  Well, any debate on that score can certainly wait for a more civilized hour.  Though honestly I’m not sure you can actually do anything.  I think Kent is gonna do what Kent is gonna do and we’re just gonna have to hold on for the fallout.”

“Oh boy.”


Chapter XLI

“Well, that was enlightening,” Esmeralda said as she went into the bathroom.  “You know this could get ugly before all is said and done.”  She sighed.  “I wish I knew what Kent was thinking instead of simply what he was doing.  I might have a clue what was coming down the pipeline.  As it is....”

“As it is we know he thinks something is going on with Charisma – enough that he’s given up his Sunday and Monday performances to be here surreptitiously to try and figure out for himself what’s happening.”  Saphira pushed her hair away from her forehead, then scrubbed a hand over her face.  “Is this what mortals consider a cluster?” she asked seriously.  She watched as Esmeralda wiped her face and hung up the towel before turning off the bathroom light and crossing over to the bed.  She pulled the covers back and let her shoulders slump.

“Definitely.  Thing is, I’m not sure if it’s our cluster or theirs at this point.”

Saphira urged Esmeralda into the bed and tucked her in, then went around to the other side and climbed in.  She yanked the blankets up to her waist and crossed her arms over her chest, looking down at Esmeralda who had turned on her side and was propped up on an elbow gazing back at her.

“I gotta tell you, Es – I’m about over this whole ‘push me... pull you’ routine Charisma and Brianna have got going on here.  Seriously I’m about thiiiiiis close,” holding her fingertips less than a millimeter apart, “from just smashing heads and having done with it.”

“Saphira....”

“No, Es.  I’m serious.  As far as I’m concerned, these two have already used every chance they get.  I don’t think they want to be happy.”

“Why would you say that?” Esmeralda asked with a frown.

“Because they could be if they wanted to be.  Happy, I mean.  Instead they’re choosing to be miserable apart.”

“So you don’t think they want to be together?”

“I don’t know!”  Saphira slammed her fists against the mattress.  “How do you stand this?”

“Lots of practice?” reaching a hand over to cover the clenched fist closest to her.  “Saphira, I know this is frustrating for you.  But you have to try to be patient.  As far as Brianna and Charisma are concerned, life is suddenly in flux.  Things they have taken for granted as fact are suddenly changing.”

“Oh c’mon, Es – all they have to do is be honest.”

“Easy to say, Sweetheart; not always easy to do especially if lying to yourself has become a way of life.”

Saphira huffed.  “So what now?”

Esmeralda shrugged and shifted so she was lying on her back.  “We wait and we continue to be their friends.  Not much else we can do until they reach a decision.”

“And if they make the wrong one?” Saphira asked as she slid down to lay flat on the bed.  Then she turned on her side so she could see Esmeralda.  Saphira reached out a hand and stroked a lock of hair from Esmeralda’s forehead when Esmeralda turned her head to face her.  She smiled when Esmeralda brushed a kiss over her pulse point.  “Isn’t that what got us in this mess to begin with?”

“That’s not our call, Phira.  As much as we’d like to make the choice for them, they have to determine what is right for them.  Because they’re gonna have to live with whatever they decide.  There won’t be anymore chances when this is over.”

“And He decides when it’s over?”

“No... they do.  When they finally make that choice, then we’ll be done.”

“I just don’t get their hesitation.  We made our choice to be together as soon as it was offered to us.”

“Different circumstances, Love.”  She tugged gently on the hand she still held, smiling when Saphira shifted and opened her arms.  Esmeralda snuggled into her embrace and they settled down to sleep.

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

The next day was much like the ones that had gone before it except that Charisma made it a point to speak to Brianna as opposed to avoiding any and all contact with her.  It was only a brief meeting in the hallway, but it was enough to remind Brianna just how drastically things had changed between them.

“Senator Walker.”

“Senator Tagherty.”

They held each other’s gaze for a moment before Charisma broke the tableau with an undignified snort.  “Okay, this was not what I had in mind when I asked if we could renew our friendship.  Even if we’re going to start over from the beginning, I’m not sure I can do formal because that puts us back on purely professional footing.”

Brianna smirked just the tiniest bit.  “Well, it’s not like you don’t know my name, Charisma.”

Charisma smiled.  “This is true, Brianna Brianna Walker.”

“Just Brianna will be fine, Charisma,” Brianna replied softly.  She wasn’t nearly ready to allow Charisma the intimacy of teasing yet. 

The smile faded from Charisma’s eyes, knowing they really were starting over from beyond square one, but happy they were being given a second chance at friendship.  Still the smile never left her lips and she nodded gracefully.  “All right, Brianna.  Are you free for lunch this afternoon?”

Brianna shook her head.  “Lunch meeting with Senators Richards and Michaels.  Committee stuff.  Tomorrow maybe?”

“I’ll have Opal call Indi and schedule it.”

“Okay,” looking at her watch.  “I’ve got to get a move on, but remind me later to ask you how you’ve put up with this for twenty years.”

“Oh, the stories I could tell you.”

“I’ll just bet.  See you tomorrow, Charisma.”  Then she was down the hall and out of sight before Charisma could make a response.  Charisma shrugged and turned back to return to her office.

“It’s not much, but it’s a start.”

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

The following day they met in the dining room and headed for the small, private table they had shared only a few days before.  The same young man returned to take their order, nodding his understanding and leaving them alone as quickly as he could.  Though it wasn’t tense like it had been before, it was still awkward and he was happy to get away.

Brianna fussed with the place setting, tucking the napkin into place on her lap, then straightening the silverware with military precision.  Only Charisma’s light touch on her hand caused her to freeze and look up and meet bright blue eyes.  She caught her breath, recognizing the same pained confusion she felt and relaxed.  Brianna patted the hand covering hers.

“So tell me about Adam,” she said, feeling Charisma relax even as she leaned back in her chair with a smile on her face.

“What would you like to know?” unable to keep her eyes from twinkling.

“Everything.  He seems to be something of a pistol.”

“I’m blaming that on Saphira,” Charisma stated emphatically.  “Honestly, he was such a calm child before Sunday,” watching Brianna’s brow rise in disbelief.  “I’m not kidding.  This was a child whose favorite activity was reading.”

“Are we talking about the same child – the one who went streaking through the kitchen naked?  The one who tried to take Esmeralda’s tongue out of her mouth with potatoey fingers?  Charisma, he hadn’t even had a chance to play with Saphira at that point.  And I seem to remember....”

Charisma narrowed her eyes at Brianna.  “You’re supposed to be on my side here, you know.”

“Who said I wasn’t?  Now tell me about your son.”

Charisma’s grin was wide and genuine, and she began to speak about Adam at length.  Neither of them noticed when their server interrupted them to place their food down or refilled their drinks.  In fact neither of them was even aware of the passage of time until Opal appeared at the table.  Charisma looked up at her in surprise and a frown crossed her face.

“Opal?  Is there something...?”

“I’m sorry to intrude, Senator Tagherty… Senator Walker,” nodding slightly in Brianna’s direction.  “I tried to reach you on your phone, but you weren’t answering,” ignoring the slight flush that colored Charisma’s cheeks.  “You have an appointment with Senator Long in fifteen minutes, Senator.  I didn’t want you to miss it.”

Charisma’s eyes widened.  She’d totally forgotten her meeting with the Senate Minority Leader – not good considering the lengths she’d gone to secure it.  She looked at Brianna who shrugged and motioned her away from the table.  Opal took the hint immediately and headed towards the door.

“Go on.  I know what a pompous as... windbag that old fart is.  If you’ve got an appointment with him, you don’t want to miss it.”

Charisma snorted.  “I take it you’ve had to deal with him already?”

“Oh my God, YES.  But it’s a story that will keep for another day.  Go on before you’re late.”

“Thanks, Bri.  And thanks for the company.  I had a great time.”

“So did I, Charisma,” refusing to give into too much informality too soon.

“So we can do this again?”

“I’d like that,” Brianna admitted honestly. 

“Good.  I’ll have Opal talk to Indi to make sure your schedule is clear.  OH!  And Adam and I’d like you to come over next Sunday.  We’ve invited Es and Saphira to join us as well which is why it’s next Sunday and not this one.  I figure they probably need to recuperate from the last one first.  Just think about it,” Charisma instructed without giving Brianna a chance to reply.  “In the meantime....”

“In the meantime, you need to get out of here before you’re late.”

“See you later?”

“You bet,” and Brianna watched Charisma and Opal leave the dining room together.  She turned back to her coffee, sipping it slowly as she closed her eyes.

“Well, well...” came an amused voice from behind her.  “Aren’t the two of you terribly chummy all of a sudden?” Scott Patterson asked.  “How’d you manage to melt the Ice Queen?”

Brianna turned around and gave him a mild look.  “Excuse me?”

“Come on, Senator.  Charisma Tagherty has never been friendly with any of us like she is with you and we’ve been trying for years.  So what’s the story?”

“Maybe you should ask her,” Brianna replied with a smirk.  Patterson chuckled.

“Maybe I will.”  He put his hands on the back of her chair.  “Now c’mon.  It’s time for our committee meeting,” tugging gently until she relented and helped him ease the seat away from the table.

Brianna sighed and rose.  “My days seem to be endless committee meetings.”

Patterson snorted.  “Welcome to Washington.”

Brianna rolled her eyes.  “I should have stayed home.”  Then she laughed at the scandalized look Patterson wore.  “Get over it, Scott,” she admonished as they headed out the door.  “I didn’t run for my seat, remember?  It doesn’t mean I won’t do my best for the people of my state while I’m here, but it doesn’t mean I’m all that thrilled to be here either.”

Patterson stared at her with something akin to amazement on his face.  Then he shook his head and led the way out the door.

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

The weekend passed quietly for everyone much to Esmeralda’s relief.  They saw Mal briefly, but it was mostly to confirm what they already knew.  Kent was in town, but Charisma had no knowledge of his visit.  He wasn’t doing anything except watching Charisma, but according to both Mal and Amber, there was nothing to see.

Charisma had spent her Saturday looking over legislation, making phone calls and generally doing what she did during the rest of the week.  And Sunday was dedicated to time with Adam.  They read and played chase and made lunch and took a nap.  And after a bath, after Adam had been rocked and read to and hummed to sleep, only then did Charisma go to her study.

Kent observed as she poured herself a glass of wine and moved to the sofa.  For a while she simply sat, staring into the fireplace, watching the flames snap and flicker.  Only when her glass was empty did she shift her attention away from the fire.  She turned to the coffee table and lifted the album from the place it had been sitting since the previous Sunday when she’d shared it with Adam.

Once more she opened the book and simply gazed at the pictures within.  Kent watched until Charisma fell asleep, still holding the book cradled in her arms.  Then he left and headed back to the City.  Otherwise the days were unexceptional and everyone took the chance to rest and relax and gear up for the coming week.

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

Charisma and Brianna met again for lunch on Monday afternoon, amidst a flurry of appointments and meetings.  It was a welcome bit of respite in an otherwise hectic day, and both women were glad for the downtime.  It was made nicer by the chance to spend it together though neither of them was particularly willing to admit that fact aloud to the other.

When Esmeralda came by much later that evening, they were both anxious to talk and Esmeralda was more than willing to listen.  And once she did she was anxious to share with Saphira.

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

“Essie... c’mon in here,” Matilda beckoned as Saphira held open the door to the diner for her to enter.  “I’ve got something new I want you to try.”

Esmeralda allowed Saphira to take her coat even as she cast a questioning glance her way.  Saphira barely shrugged, shaking her head.  “I dunno,” she whispered in Esmeralda’s ear as she brushed a kiss over the soft cheek under her lips.  She felt the trembling in Esmeralda’s frame and pulled back to stare at her with concerned eyes.  “You all right?”

“Busy night,” she responded softly though not soft enough for Matilda not to hear.

“Must have been a good busy,” she commented as she brought her latest concoction out of the window where Joe stood watching the three of them with a grin on his face.  “You’ve got color in your cheeks, and I don’t think it’s from the cold.”  Matilda raised a hand to Esmeralda’s forehead, then leaned forward and kissed it.  “I don’t think you’ve got fever either.”

Esmeralda smiled and captured Matilda’s hand in her own.  “No fever,” she promised.  “Just a good night and we got plenty of rest this weekend, which helped a lot I think.”

“Yeah, Saphira told us about that little hellion of that Senator friend of yours.  That little guy sounds like quite a handful,” Matilda added as she put the plate in front of Esmeralda.

“He is, but he’s a good kid.  I think he just liked having a grown-up playmate.” 

Three sets of eyes turned to look at Saphira whose eyes grew wide as she returned their stares.  “Whaaaaat?” she whined.  “I didn’t do nothin’,” she complained, sitting down next to Esmeralda and picking up a fork before digging into the potpie with single-minded focus.

“Give it up, Saphira,” Joe admonished with a laugh.  “We all know better.”

“So what do you think?” Matilda asked after they had eaten for a few minutes.  “It must be pretty good; you’re actually eating.  Or are you feeling better?”

Esmeralda smiled.  “I am feeling better, but this is really good too.  Are you adding it to the menu as a blue plate special?”

“I’m thinking about it.  Opinion?”

Esmeralda chewed slowly, her eyes thoughtful.  “I would,” she finally said.  “But I wouldn’t do it too often.  This should be a special blue plate special – you know... the kind that only gets offered once in a while because of the work involved in preparing it.  Because if I’m guessing right, this took hours if not a couple days, didn’t it?”

Joe nodded. “It did.”  He looked at Saphira who was methodically making inroads on her portion.  “What do you think?”

“I think this is really good, and I would like to selfishly keep it all for myself,” she replied with a grin.  “But I think it will do well if you put it on the board.”

“All right then,” Matilda said.  “You two finish up while I wrap you up a piece of cake to go.  You need to get home and get to bed and so do the old man and I.  We don’t want you losing that color in your cheeks,” she added shaking a finger at Esmeralda.

“You’re a sweetheart, Matilda.  God will be good to you for looking out for us.”

“Maybe.  I’ll just be happy for you to keep coming round.  That’s thanks enough.”

Esmeralda smiled.  “You just like hearing all the good gossip,” she teased.

“That too.  Now c’mon,” noticing Esmeralda had stopped eating.  “Let me box this up so you two can go home.  I’m sure you’ve got more interesting things to do than talk to old folks like me and Joe all night.”  And in minutes, she had shooed them out the door headed home.

“I doubt this is the interesting Matilda had in mind,” Esmeralda said as they soundlessly entered the house and made their way straight to the kitchen.  “But do I have a lot to tell you.”

Saphira chuckled.  “You heat the water and I’ll go turn on the blanket.  Then we can curl up together while you share what happened tonight.”

“You’ve got yourself a date, Sweetheart.”


Chapter XLII

“So things are moving satisfactorily then?” Saphira asked as she set their cups on the nightstand.  Esmeralda nodded slowly.

“At least things are moving forward.  They’re at different places with this whole state of affairs between them.  Charisma seems nervous and unsure and yet she’s become the pursuer, determined to have Brianna as part of her life again.  Brianna is more resigned to the whole situation; she’s not moving away from it, but she seems unwilling to advance it at the moment either.  She believes it will eventually come back to bite her in the ass so she’s willing to take what she can get from Charisma until Charisma learns the truth.  She’s convinced that circumstance will remove her from Charisma’s life completely and for good.”

“I don’t understand why she doesn’t stand up and fight for what she wants.  Isn’t she sick and tired of always giving in to what she thinks is best for Charisma?  Why not fight for them to be together if it’ll make them both happy?”

“I dunno, Love,” Esmeralda shrugged.  “Maybe we’ll be able to figure it out a little better next Sunday.  We’ve been invited to Charisma’s and Brianna is supposed to be there.  Charisma thinks our presence will make it easier for them to become friends again.”

Saphira pinched the bridge of her nose.  “I feel a headache coming on,” she mumbled, smiling when she felt Esmeralda’s lips brush against her temple.

“I totally understand,” tugging gently on Saphira’s arm until they were laying flat on the bed.  “On the plus side, it is progress.”

“And on the down side is they’re gonna drive us all nuts in the meantime,” Saphira postulated darkly.

Esmeralda snorted.  “Not a very far trip for most of us, Phira.”

“I know – I wouldn’t even make it out of the driveway most days.”

Their chuckles were silent and they fell asleep with smiles on their faces.

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

It was Thursday before Charisma and Brianna had the chance to get together for lunch again, and Charisma blessed her foresight in having Opal and Indi coordinate things between them.  There was a big push to get as much done as possible before the upcoming holiday break and every minute of the day seemed to be crowded with things that just couldn’t wait.  Even lunches became more like meetings and less like mealtimes so Charisma was especially thankful to have a little time carved out that wasn’t dedicated to more politics.

It floored her to realize she was more than a little put out by the political machinations that seemed determined to keep her and Brianna apart and wondered when and why her priorities had changed so drastically.  After all... politics had been her life her whole life, and she’d done without Brianna’s presence for almost twenty years after only having it for four.  Still she was honest enough with herself to recognize the resentment she felt.  She didn’t take the time to examine it any further, but she knew it for what it was. 

So it was with a big smile on her face that she entered the dining room on Thursday afternoon to find Brianna there ahead of her and waiting at what was quickly becoming their usual table.  She nodded to their regular attendant and made her way across the room....

... only to be stopped by a junior senator from one of her committees that wanted her input on a late piece of legislation he was putting together.  Brianna watched the exchange with interest, knowing from their long history together that Charisma was politely flaying him alive.  Given the expression on the man’s face when he turned – a mix of fury, embarrassment and humiliation – Brianna glanced to see if there was a wet spot on his trousers.  Then she turned her attention to Charisma whose appearance was one of supreme satisfaction.

“Should I ask?” Brianna queried as Charisma pulled out her chair and took a seat.

“Depends,” Charisma smirked.  “Do you really want to know?”

“If I was a gambler,” Brianna commented slowly as she sipped from her water glass, “I’d say he was asking for inappropriate favors.”

Charisma snorted.  “He’s not quite that stupid.  He just doesn’t seem to think the rules of courtesy should apply to him.”  At Brianna’s interested look Charisma sighed and crossed her legs before leaning back in the chair and propping her face on her fingers.  “He believes he can demand because he thinks he needs and everyone around him will capitulate.”

“He expected you to have lunch with him at a moment’s notice?”

“Uh huh,” Charisma drawled as their server approached the table.  She motioned him forward.  “And I wasn’t going to give up the time with you because he waited until the last minute to decide he wanted input so he could offer some legislation for consideration.”

“Was it important... the legislation?”

Charisma shrugged.  “No more or less than anything else we’re deliberating at the moment.”  She turned and gave her order to the young man and waited for Brianna to do the same.  Then they waited for him to scurry off before resuming their conversation.

“So how’ve you been otherwise?” Brianna asked seriously.  “Indi told me it was like pulling teeth to get this lunch scheduled.”

“You’d know... your schedule has been about the same as mine.”

“Without the child and the marital responsibilities,” Brianna pointed out, but before Charisma could comment on either of those she continued speaking.  “But yeah – it’s been a little nuts.”

This time Charisma’s laugh was full-bodied and caused several heads to twist in their direction in surprise.  Brianna noted the looks of amazement that she was given, but they had all gone back to their own business by the time Charisma calmed enough to wipe the tears out of her eyes.

“Oh my God, Bri... I had forgotten what a master of understatement you were.  And that reminds me,” she added, staring at Brianna and watching the blonde brow go up in question.  “Rumor has it you’re stirring up quite a pot lately.”

Now both brows jumped into her hairline and Brianna wanted to pat the top of her head to ensure that they didn’t actually leap off her head and go running out the door.  Instead she frowned, scrunching them together just above her nose.  “I beg your pardon?”

The waiter chose that moment to make an appearance and they waited for him to deliver their food and move away from the table.  Charisma picked up her fork and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully and motioning Brianna to do the same.  Brianna picked up her fork and arched her brow.

“It’s making the rounds that you told Scott Patterson to get over himself.”

Brianna choked on the food in her mouth and quickly snatched up her water and took a swallow, hoping to force the bite down the correct hole.  Fortunately for her it worked, and after a couple deep breaths, she set the water back on the table and raised her napkin to her lips.

“Excuse me?” she croaked.  “I never told Scott Patterson any such thing.”

“You must have said something.”

“Oh, I said plenty.  I told him if he wanted to know how I melted the Ice Queen – that would be you, in this case – he’d have to ask you himself.  Because I certainly wasn’t going to explain to him or anyone else here that you’ve never been an Ice Queen as far as I’m concerned.  Then I told him to get over the fact that this job isn’t the be all and end all for me.”  Brianna absently chewed on the tines of her fork as her eyes went distant.  “He seemed a little offended by that actually.”  Charisma’s grunt brought Brianna’s attention back to the table and she shrugged.  “Well, it’s true... all of it.”

“Oh I know... better than most actually.  I still wonder how you ended up here if you want to know the truth.  Not that you’re not completely qualified or that you’re doing a poor job,” added quickly when she saw Brianna’s brow fly upwards.  “It’s just you made it clear in college you had no interest in this life.  It’s just a little weird is all... especially after you just disappeared.”

“I didn’t disappear, Charisma,” Brianna stated sharply, eyes burning with a hint of anger.

“You did,” Charisma argued, but held up her hands in a sign of peace to keep Brianna from replying.  “But that’s a discussion for another time and place.  Besides, you don’t think it’s a little odd how we ended up here together despite everything?”

Brianna bit back the anger and frustration she felt and tilted her head at Charisma as she observed her thoughtfully.  “Do you believe in fate?” she finally asked.

Charisma used the time it took for their server to clear the table and pour them cups of coffee to consider her answer.  When he left she stirred it slowly, watching the swirls absently for a long time before meeting Brianna’s eyes.  “I don’t think there’s a good way to answer that question.  I don’t believe in predestination, but I do believe fate occasionally takes a hand in our lives.”

Brianna blinked.  “You do realize you just contradicted yourself, right?” she asked drolly.  “If something is fated, it’s predestined – you can’t escape it.”

“I don’t believe that,” Charisma frowned.  “Sometimes fate taking a hand means giving us a choice.  But we have to make the choice and we have to live with the consequences that follow.”

“Perhaps,” Brianna conceded, pushing back her chair and rising from the seat. “However, that discussion will have to wait as well,” glancing at her watch.  “I’ve got to get back to work and I imagine you do as well.”

Charisma blew out a breath.  “Yes actually,” she agreed a little shortly.  “We’ll see you on Sunday?”

“Of course,” Brianna concurred.  “I told you I’d be there.”

“Good – Adam’s excited,” Charisma confessed as they started making their way out of the dining room.  “He reminded me again this morning that you were good.”

Brianna crinkled up her nose trying to contain her laughter in her wide smile.  “What does that mean exactly and where did he get it?”

“I don’t know, but my son does seem to be an inherently excellent judge of character so enjoy it.  Oh... and you might want to watch your back.”

“Okay,” Brianna drawled slowly, glad they were currently alone in the hall.  “Why?”

“That response you gave Patterson?  It’s not the best way to win friends and influence people in this town.”

“And do I want to do that?”

“If you want to survive, you’re going to have to at some point.”

“Then allow me to return the favor.  I know you’re popular among the constituents of our fair state, but you’re seen as aloof and untouchable by a lot of your peers here.”

“I know.  But I have solid friends in the places I need them.”  Charisma took one of Brianna’s hands in hers and patted it gently with her other one before covering it.  “Thank you - for caring enough....”

“I never stopped caring, Charisma,” Brianna replied, then bit her lip to keep from saying anything else.  Charisma stared at Brianna for a long moment, but when she didn’t offer anything further she squeezed her hand once more then released her hold.

“Me either,” she tendered as a parting shot, then turned and entered her office.  Brianna waited until the door closed behind her, then blew out an aggravated breath and continued down the hall to her own.  There was still work to be done.

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

“Es? Do you believe in destiny?”

Esmeralda blinked as she got hit with that question the moment she stepped into Brianna’s office much later that evening, but she didn’t let it slow her stride.  She parked her cart and took out the items she needed, setting them on top.  She grabbed the duster first and started making her way around the room slowly as she considered her reply.  Brianna let her be, knowing she’d been heard and that Esmeralda would give her answer as soon he she had one formulated.

“I dunno,” Esmeralda eventually said.  “I guess I do about some things, but not so much about others.”

Brianna tilted her head and tapped her pen on the blotter, frowning a little.  “I don’t understand.”

Esmeralda chuckled softly.  “I’m not sure I can explain it.”  She cleared her throat.  “I absolutely believe Saphira and I were meant to be together.  That no matter what reality we’d been born into, we’d have found one another because we’re supposed to be.  On the other hand, I don’t think that our being here in the situation we’re in is anything other than our choice - the result of the decisions we made.”

“So our lives are a little bit of fate or destiny or God and a lot about what we do with what we’re given.”  A statement... not a question.

Esmeralda shrugged.  “I think so,” continuing to dust – first around Brianna to get to the desk and then back behind it to take care of the pictures that Brianna was apparently studying.  Brianna remained silent and Esmeralda didn’t pause, not wanting to interrupt whatever thoughts Brianna was having. Instead when she was done, she went back over to her cart and retrieved the polish.  She was almost done, packing up her supplies to leave the office when Brianna swiveled in her chair and met Esmeralda’s eyes.

“I hear you and Saphira are going to be at Charisma’s on Sunday,” she said with a light smile though the twinkle in her eyes couldn’t hide her concern.

Esmeralda smiled back.  “Yeah – I have been given the impression that Adam covets Saphira as a playmate; he wants to share his toys with her.”  Brianna laughed.

“I think he just wants another chance to streak through the house naked.”  She looked at Esmeralda seriously.  “Are you sure you’re up for it, Es?  You seem kind of tired again,” not mentioning her sallow skin-tone or her run-down appearance.

“Do you not want us there, Brianna?”

“I am simply concerned, my friend.  You haven’t been well and I know the cold weather isn’t helping.  I don’t want to contribute to anything that is going to slow down your recovery.”

Esmeralda’s smile was real and genuine.  “I appreciate that, Brianna, but I can’t stop living just because my recovery is slower than I want it to be.  Imagine all the things I’d miss.  It’s gonna take time before I’m completely well and there’s stuff to do in the meantime.  Besides, when the senators go on holiday break so does the custodial staff,” motioning to herself.  “I’ll have plenty of time then to rest and recover some more.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am, Brianna, but thank you for caring.”

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

“How do you feel about fate, Es?” Charisma asked as she crossed the threshold.  This time she did stop and met Charisma’s eyes squarely.

“Did you and Brianna talk recently?”

Charisma chuckled.  “She asked you the same thing?”

“Something very similar.”

“And what did you tell her?”

“I believe in Fate about some things but not so much about others.”

“How so?”

Once again Esmeralda explained her thoughts as she cleaned the office, noting that Charisma seemed to be intently focused on what she was saying.  When she was done speaking silence reined for some time while Charisma contemplated what she’d said.  Esmeralda continued to work, more tired than she’d been willing to admit to Brianna.

“I agree with you,” Charisma admitted after a while.  “I think there’s a little of one and a lot of the other.  And it’s usually the other that gets us into trouble.”  She bit her lip.  “Sometimes I wonder if mankind would have been better off with a predetermined destiny instead of free will.”

“But wouldn’t that make us like the animals, Charisma?  Having only ingrained behavior without a choice?”

“Maybe.”  She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked an eyebrow in Esmeralda’s direction.  Esmeralda returned the look and Charisma snickered.  “You’re something else, Es.  Do you think sometimes Fate gives us a second chance?”

“I know it does,” Esmeralda affirmed. “That I’m here is proof of that.”

Charisma waited until Esmeralda had put the last of her cleaning tools away, then stepped up beside her.  She cupped her cheek and looked into her green eyes.  “I’m glad,” she assured Esmeralda.  “But you’re also exhausted so I’m going to give you a ride home tonight.”

“But Saphira....”

“I’ll get the number to the diner and we’ll call her to let her know we’ll be by in a few minutes.”

Esmeralda searched the blue eyes that held her gaze and finally closed her eyes in relief as she nodded.  “Thank you, Charisma.”

“You’re welcome, Es,” not letting on how disturbed she was that the younger woman was giving in without a fight.  “Are you sure you’re going to be up to coming over Sunday?”

“As I reminded Brianna earlier – I get to rest when you go on break.  I’ll be fine as long as you’re sure you want us there.”

“Always,” without hesitation.  “Now come on.  It’s time to get you home.”

Part 8