Gabriella instinctively knew where Blayne would be. She opened the door to the library and saw the woman she was looking for deep in thought standing by the window looking over the lawn. Gabriella walked up behind her and put her hands through Blayne's arms and around her stomach and pulled her to her taking in a deep breath. Blayne's body recognized her immediately and simply allowed herself to just lean back and feel the woman she loved envelop her in the intimate embrace.
"How I needed to feel your arms around me my love." Blayne said breathlessly as she wrapped her arms around Gabriella's. "Gabriella, I love you. God how I love you."
Gabriella kissed the side of Blayne's face. "As I love you."
"What are we going to do? I can't let you go." The desperation began to come through in Blayne's voice.
"We have to be careful. No one can suspect."
Blayne turned around suddenly and searched Gabriella's face. "How long do you think we can get away with this?" She asked in disbelief.
"No one can know Blayne. I can't risk loosing my children. You know this." Gabriella insisted as well.
"I don't want that. But you have to see that this… this is not enough. When will we see each other again in a week? A month? Two months?"
"I don't know." Gabriella turned her back to her.
"Don't you want to see me?" Blayne could hear how pitiful she must sound.
Gabriella turned around to face her again. "You know I do. Surely you know how I feel? I love you. I love you, I do."
"Not enough to stay with me." Blayne said angrily.
"I want to be but I can't."
"Can you honestly tell me that this arrangement is enough for you?" Blayne waited.
"For now it must be."
"For now?"
"Yes, for now."
"And when will it change?"
"I don't know." Gabriella answered in exasperation.
"What am I to you Gabriella?"
"What do you mean?"
"What am I?"
"You are the one I love."
"The one you fuck." Blayne stated coldly.
"Yes, fine the one I fuck!" The minute she said the words she regret it.
Blayne left the room before Gabriella could speak. "No, you are my love." Gabriella whispered to herself as she began to cry in earnest.
Arthur saw as Blayne ran out of the library like the very devil was chasing her. He turned towards the library and went inside. Instinctively he knew that Gabriella would be there.
He walked in and saw Gabriella crying. Arthur walked up to her and touched her shoulder gently. She turned to him with tears running down her beautiful face. The understanding and sadness she saw in his eyes was more than she could take, and the walls that kept her controlled emotions confined fell apart.
Gabriella went into his open arms and wept as he held her tightly. Arthur stroked her hair trying to console her. This was the first time he held his daughter.
"Why can't she see that I need her as much as she needs me." Gabriella sobbed in her fathers shoulder."
Arthur stiffened for a moment and understood what must have occurred.
"Blayne sees things perhaps too clearly sometimes. She never sees the obstacles just what is needed and sets a path." He said sadly.
Gabriella pulled away from him slowly wrapping her arms around herself.
Arthur watched her as she took a few paces away and seemed to stare in front of her.
"She doesn't understand that what we want just can't be." Gabriella voiced the sadness she felt overwhelming her soul.
He just listened not voicing his thoughts on the matter. This was the first time that his daughter had reached out to him.
"I hurt her. I said such an ugly thing to her." Gabriella covered her mouth to control the sobbing. "God I hurt her." She covered her face.
Arthur walked up to her and put his arms around her and she turned and buried her face in his chest.
"How could I hurt her like that?" Gabriella cried.
Elle had walked out looking for a quite place. She didn't like being in that house with all those people. They didn't like her and she didn't like them. Her Aunt Diana seemed nice enough but she wasn't too crazy about Chaz. The man that was her grandfather seemed okay but she just didn't really know him. And Blayne Anberville she was sure she didn't like at all. After she had almost run her over she had scared her half to death.
Elle had wondered into the garages behind the house. She saw cars that she didn't recognize but what caught her attention was the restored Harley Davidson to one corner of the garage. There were a few other motorcycles but the Harley left her speechless. Elle walked around it admiring the big machine. It was the most impressive bike she had ever seen. Her fingers went out to touch it.
"Don't touch that!" Blayne shouted
Elle jumped in fear and withdrew her hand immediately. She turned towards Blayne and upon seeing the eyes filled with anger directed towards her she took a step back.
"I'm sorry…" Elle was about to walk away when Blayne put her hand on Elle's shoulder.
Elle turned towards Blayne with her face down in submission.
"Look at me," Blayne instructed in a softer tone then previously.
The child raised her head, defiantly with a frown on her face.
Blayne smiled, "that's better, never allow anyone to bully you."
Blayne turned and began walking away leaving the child with a confused and curious look on her face.
"I don't like you!" Elle yelled.
Blayne stopped and turned around. "That's your right." Blayne began walking away again. As she was walked away she spoke to her. "I'm going to take out the Harley in about an hour. If your mom lets you I'll give you a ride and you can see how she handles."
Blayne did not wait for a reply and continued walking away as a smile appeared on her face.
Elle watched her not understanding whether she wanted to like her or not. She thought for a moment whether she should go for a ride on the Harley with Blayne Anberville or not. The child looked towards the bike in admiration; hesitating only for a moment than took off running to ask her mother 's permission.
"Mom!" Elle was yelling as she entered the house.
Gabriella went out of the library seeking her daughter.
"Elle? Are you all right?" Gabriella held onto her daughter's shoulder.
Elle was trying to catch her breath. "Mom…."
"Honey, just take a deep breath…are you okay?"
"Mom, can I go on a ride on her bike? Please mom…please." Elle begged her mother.
"Elle what are you talking about?"
Arthur walked out of the library and smiled at his excited granddaughter.
"Please mom…please?" Elle insisted.
"Elle, what are you talking about?"
"I think she is talking about Blayne's bike, right?" Arthur joined them asking his granddaughter.
"Yes, it's incredible. She says if you say its okay she will give me a ride. Please mom, please?" Elle began all over again looking at her mother and pulling at her arm.
"What do you mean a bike?" Gabriella asked suspiciously. "As in a motor cycle?"
Elle shook her head up and down with a big smile on her face.
"Please mom, oh please."
"Elle, I don't think so. It's not safe." Gabriella hated denying her daughter the pleasure she saw in her face. Elle rarely expressed such interest in anything these days.