"Yes, a psychiatrist might be able to help you, Blayne," he said hopefully.
Blayne looked down and then turned away from him as she walked towards the window. It was still light out. Nothing had changed and yet everything in her world had.
"I have no chemical imbalance, father. I don't think they've invented a cure for loving someone. You should know that," she said sadly.
"It's not right for you to take advantage of Gabriella."
She turned around and faced him. "What?"
"Don't manipulate her, Blayne. She has a life. Diana needs her. She has a husband, Blayne."
"She doesn't love him!"
"Does she love you?"
Blayne remained silent. He had his mark and went in for the kill. "What about her children and her mother? Elena is old fashioned. Would her children understand Blayne? Even if you were to seduce Gabriella…would she be able to walk away from her mother and her children to be with you?"
Blayne met his eyes as hers filled with tears. "I love her father." The truth of her words hurt. Those words that she never thought she would utter cut at her.
"If you love her, then let her go." Arthur added.
The tears ran freely down Blayne's face. Arthur had never seen her like this and suddenly her weakness touched his heart. "It will be for the best, Blayne," he said softly. At that moment Arthur knew he had convinced her.
She nodded as the tears continued fall down her face. Blayne looked down then up and met her father's eyes again.
Arthur looked away quickly. "All right then. In time you will see that you did the right thing."
He looked towards his daughter again before he left her in the library and again his chest tightened in pain. Blayne would keep her word he knew that. Arthur also realized that they would never ever be this close again.
"Hello Joseph."
"Gabriella? Where are you?"
"In Massachusetts."
"What's going on?" He didn't hide the anger in his voice.
"I had some rather upsetting news less then a week ago," she said and yet she realized it seemed like ages. So much had happened in such a short period of time.
"How could you just take off and not tell me?"
"Joseph, I'm sorry. I guess I wasn't thinking."
"Yes, thinking is not your forte, is it."
"No, I guess not." Gabriella felt drained.
"I'll be home on Thursday. We finished up earlier than expected. Remember we are dinning with the Metcaffs on Saturday. Will you be back by then?" He sounded like he was in a hurry.
"Ummm…. Yes, I should be." Gabriella was suddenly aware of feeling the strain of the day.
"Good, I'll see you no later than Saturday then."
Before she could speak he hung up and it occurred to her that this is the way they spoke on the phone. Neither of them really cared for the other anymore. They acted out of habit, of what was expected rather then the need to connect. The usual feeling of restlessness began to overtake her. At these times she went to her studio. Gabriella thought about trying to find Blayne. Instead, she opted to go for a walk. She needed to move to be active.
Gabriella walked around the grounds. It had begun to get dark but the flora was still visible and the fragrance was wonderful. She leaned down to admire a flower when she heard footsteps. Gabriella turned and she saw Arthur approaching she stood up straight, almost bracing herself in finding herself alone with him.
"Those are Chinese lilies," he pointed to the flowers that she had been admiring only moments before.
Gabriella then looked towards them again then away.
"I'm sorry about everything." Arthur waited expectantly for her next move.
Gabriella looked at him and said nothing. Almost by an inner understanding they both began to walk side by side.
"You have a lovely family," he said suddenly.
Gabriella said nothing as they both continued to walk.
"I would like to meet my grandchildren, Gabriella," he said softly. "I am not asking for forgiveness. I know only time, perhaps, could gain me that with you. Unfortunately, time is the one thing I don't have. I won't say anything to them. I would just like to see them once before I die. Please grant me that." Arthur's words sounded sincere and made her nod her agreement.
"Thank you Gabriella," he said truly moved by her generosity.
"I think I'll go in now," she said suddenly.
"I've spoken with Blayne."
Gabriella turned towards him. "And?"
"She will not be bossing you around anymore."
"I can take care of myself. I don't need you fighting my battles for me," Gabriella said irately.
"Blayne sometimes….is too aggressive."
"At least she knows what she wants and she fights for it."
"Is that an attribute you admire?" Arthur was eyeing his daughter curiously. He had not expected Gabriella to be defending Blayne or excusing her.
"Yes."
"Is that how you see yourself?"
"No, I'm not like her," Gabriella said sadly. "I wish I was."
"Gabriella?"
"It's been a long day. Goodnight." She walked away from him slowly.
"Goodnight," Arthur said as watched her walk back into the house.
Blayne walked up to Gabriella's door and was about to knock when suddenly she seemed to change her mind. She took a step back and as she was about to walk away a voice pulled her back.
"Not up for it, huh?"
Blayne turned to see Gabriella approaching her with a slight smile.
"Scared of me?" Gabriella teased.
"Yes," Blayne smiled back. "You are too formidable of an adversary," she played along.
"I see."
"What do you see?"
"I have power." Gabriella was thoroughly enjoying the game.
"Is that what you think?" Blayne laughed.
"That's what I know." Gabriella said as she stood directly in front of her now.
Blayne couldn't have looked away if she wanted to. Her eyes were fused with those of the lady in front of her. She was about to reach out for Gabriella when suddenly something in Blayne's eyes changed. Gabriella felt the withdrawal before Blayne had taken a step back away from her or seen it clearly in her eyes.
"I concede the field. You win." Blayne waved her hand flamboyantly but they both knew that Blayne had in effect backed down out of fear.
Gabriella decided to change the subject. "You were looking for me?"
Blayne was forced once more to look into her eyes. "Yes." She stood without uttering a word searching Gabriella's face.
"I spoke with Arthur out in the garden."
Blayne blinked and snapped out of the trance she was in. "Are you all right?" She looked at Gabriella's eyes with concern.
"Oddly enough, yes." She looked down. "He asked if he could see the children before…." She trailed off then looked up to see the pain of it register in Blayne's eyes.
"You said yes," Blayne said sadly.
"Yes, I did. You must think I'm crazy," Gabriella said as a nervous giggle escaped her.
"No, I think…." She then looked away.
"You think?"
Blayne looked at her again. "I think you are very generous."
Gabriella kept looking at her expecting words that never came. Blayne was not fighting her. Blayne was pulling away. She could feel it.
"Are you all right?" Gabriella was the one that asked this time.
"Of course, why shouldn't I be?" Blayne said as she laughed and took a few more steps away from Gabriella.
"I feel…"
"You feel?" Blayne asked seriously.
"I can't explain it." Gabriella began to fidget.
"Don't worry. I won't leave you alone. I will be with you till I take you home," Blayne said softly not able to look away from the eyes that begged her for answers of questions that had not been asked.