"Helen?" Annelie said in a low voice as they walked up to her. "What're you doing out here?"
There was no reply. The actress's eyes were open, but unfocused.
"She must've taken the pills the doc gave her," Jem said. "She's asleep."
"You mean she's sleepwalking? Should we wake her?"
"No, I don't think so. I'll help her." Jem carefully circled Helen's shoulders with her arm, nudging her toward the guest room. "Come on, honey. Let's get you back to bed." Walking behind them into Helen's room, Annelie watched Jem help the sleeping woman sit down on the bed. Then Jem lifted Helen's legs and coaxed her to move up onto the pillows. "That's right. Up we go." Jem grabbed the sheet and blankets lying on the floor, spreading them over Helen's motionless body and tucking her in. She stood watching the sleeping form for a moment before walking back to the hallway with Annelie.
"Is she all right?" Annelie resumed walking toward the kitchen.
"She's pretty out of it, but she responded when I was talking to her. Still, she took quite a fall today. Speaking of that, is Carolyn okay?"
"Yes, she claims she's fine." Annelie took a carton of milk from the refrigerator, poured some into a mug, and placed it in the microwave. "Want some milk?" Unaware of it, Jem mimicked the face Carolyn had made only minutes before.
"No, I'll head back to bed. I hope that'll do the trick for you, though."
"Me too."
Carrying the mug back to the bedroom, Annelie found Carolyn still awake and waiting for her. She carefully climbed back into bed, sipping from her mug.
"You look like a kid, all tousled and drinking milk," Carolyn whispered. "You're always beautiful, but this is the first time I've ever seen you look cute."
"Cute?" Annelie wrinkled her nose. "Thanks. I think."
Carolyn placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "You're welcome."
Finishing the milk and finally feeling warm again, Annelie curled up close to Carolyn, holding her in her arms. "I want to ask you something." She held her breath for a moment while pushing back stray strands of hair from her lover's face. "You tried to hide the fact your headaches were getting worse, and I guess you meant to keep me from worrying. Like you protect Beth, for instance. I don't want to be protected, nor do I need to be. If I'd known you were feeling worse than usual, I might not have gotten the shock I did today."
"Annie…" Carolyn's voice was a mere whisper.
"I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I'm trying to tell you how I feel and what I need from you. You don't have to tell me every little detail, but don't try to shield me from what's important. If it concerns you, it concerns me. Let me take care of you when you need it, and I'll come to you when I need you to care for me—to put your arms around me and love me." She rose on one elbow, looking down at Carolyn. "This is important, darling."
Carolyn cupped Annelie's cheek gently and brushed her lower lip with her thumb. "Well said, Annie. I promise to do my best. It's my nature to be protective, but I can try and change the way I do it. I'll try not to shy away from asking for help, your help. You've been there for me so many times."
"And you for me." Feeling it was easier to breathe the air in the bedroom, Annelie settled onto the pillows, closing her eyes. "I love you."
Carolyn's fingers combed lovingly through Annelie's hair, smoothing it before traveling farther down her back. Annelie buried her face into her lover's neck, again inhaling her intoxicating citrus scent. Carolyn tugged at the covers, pulling them up and arranging them in a warm, cozy cocoon.
As sleep finally overtook her, Annelie saw jumbled images of Carolyn playing behind her eyelids. A panther, an eel, a pool, concrete stairs. She half jerked. Then she saw her lover stretched out on the deck of a boat, relaxing in the sun, with the ocean all around, and she smiled.
***
Entering the kitchen, Annelie encircled Carolyn from behind, sliding her hands up under the half-open silk robe to cup her breasts.
"Mmm," Carolyn murmured as Annelie's lips found naked skin where the robe slipped off her shoulder. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, eventually. I missed you when I woke up, though. I should've realized the thought of coffee had enticed you to the kitchen."
"I promised the doctor to cut down, especially late in the evening, but my morning cup…" Carolyn shuddered. "Can't do without it. I'd be impossible to live with." She tilted her head back onto Annelie's shoulder, turning to kiss her lover. "I don't want you to kick me out because of caffeine withdrawal."
Trapping Carolyn against the kitchen counter, Annelie claimed her lips again, deepening the kiss. "There's no way I'd let you go, darling," she whispered, only a breath away from Carolyn's mouth. "With or without caffeine."
"Good morning," a sleepy voice said from the doorway. "Oh, sorry, ladies…" Helen stood holding onto the door frame. "Didn't mean to interrupt."
"You didn't." Carolyn smiled, her arms still around Annelie. "As a matter of fact, you're just in time for coffee."
"Did someone say coffee?" a second voice asked. Jem walked up behind Helen, her short, dark hair standing up in all directions. Patting Helen on her shoulder, she gave her a sleepy smile. "How are you doing this morning?"
"I'm feeling much better. My scalp is sore, but no headache. I took some painkillers last night, and they knocked me right out. I had the weirdest dreams."
Jem shot Annelie a grin. Putting her arm around Helen's shoulder, she guided her toward the kitchen table. "Oh, really? Do tell."
"I can hardly remember, but everything was swaying, and I believe you guys were there."
"Well, that makes sense, because we were there. Annelie and I found you standing in the hallway." Jem shrugged. "We couldn't very well leave you there, so I helped you into bed and tucked you in."
Helen blushed, covering her eyes with a hand. "Oh, no. I have been known to sleepwalk, but it was a long time ago. I'm sorry."
"Whatever for?" Jem asked merrily. "You were downright beautiful, if a little spooky, dressed in white silk in the middle of the night. So, anyone want pancakes or waffles?"
Helen looked dazed at the quick change of subject.
"Waffles!" Annelie exclaimed, rubbing her chin against Carolyn's hair. "You're such a whiz in the kitchen, Jem. I think I'm going to hire you."
"You already did." Jem grinned. "So, bring out the waffle iron."
Restricted to the dining room, Carolyn sat down next to Helen as the aroma of Jem's cooking filtered from the kitchen. Handing her a mug of coffee, she sighed in contentment and leaned back in her chair. "This is my idea of a perfect Saturday morning."
"Feeling less stressed?" Helen sipped her hot drink.
"Yes, a lot. Annelie and I talked for hours while we were trying to relax last night, and something she said stuck in my mind." Carolyn tucked her disheveled hair behind her ears. "I possess a certain arrogance."
"She said that?" Helen raised an eyebrow.
"No, no. But she made me realize that I don't share my weaknesses. I have to be strong and able, all the time. Or at least I think I do. Annelie wants me to share everything, warts and all."
Helen nodded thoughtfully, turning her head to look at the two women busily making breakfast. "First of all, I think you struck gold, Carolyn, and I don't mean in the monetary sense. She adores you just the way you are. You'd be a fool to let her go."
"Don't worry. I don't have any intention of letting her slip through my fingers. She's stuck with me. You said first of all—what else?"
"I don't see you as arrogant at all. You may interpret your actions and motivations like that, but I see it as being considerate of others. I don't want to sound presumptuous, but I think you're too hard on yourself sometimes."