"I have a four year old at home. This isn't much different."
Alex turned her head towards them and tried to glare but failed. "I heard that you know." She laid her head back against the headrest and groaned. "I really don't like feeling like this."
Dani brushed the hair back off of her face as she said, "I know, sweetie. I'm sorry. Why don't you just close your eyes and take a nap? You'll feel better when you wake up, I promise." After getting her buckled in and closing the door, she turned to Kelly and shook her hand. "Thank you again for lunch and the tour. I really enjoyed it. This place is amazing.
"You're welcome. Take care of her for me okay?" Kelly handed her the envelope and said, "Read this to her when she wakes up, and call me when you have questions." She stepped behind the wheelchair, and began to push it inside as Dani started the car and drove away.
When she pulled up in front of the house, Dani honked the horn. As she exited the vehicle, Nikki walked up to see what was going on. She quickly explained the situation, and allowed Nikki to take control. She grabbed both purses, as well as the envelope, and followed her into the house. "You may want to keep her down here where we can keep an eye on her," she called out. "I know I'd feel better if she was close by."
Nikki turned away from the stairs and headed for the living room, gently depositing Alex in the recliner. She opened her eyes and peered up at Nikki. She reached out and touched her face, running her thumb over her bottom lip. "Nicoletta, mia cara, ti amerò fino alla fine dei tempi."
Nikki searched Alex's eyes as she tried to understand. "I really wish I knew what you just said." She watched as her eyelids slowly closed. "Go to sleep, sweetheart. We'll talk when you wake up." She slowly pulled away as she began to doze, and sat on the couch beside Dani. "So how'd lunch go?"
Dani smiled as she told her sister all about the Wellington Center, and their lunch with Kelly.
Alex slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. She realized she was at home in her recliner, and couldn't remember getting there. She sat up as the pieces slowly began to fall into place and groaned. She stood on slightly shaky legs, and went to the kitchen for something to drink. As she drained the bottle of water and set it on the counter, she looked into the concerned faces of Nikki, Dani, and Rachel. She looked at Dani and said, "Please tell me that I did not make a fool of myself in front of Kelly by apologizing to her."
Dani bit her lip as she shook her head. "You didn't make a fool of yourself, but you did apologize."
"Sweet Jesus." She leaned against the counter and hung her head.
Dani stepped up and placed her hand over Alex's where it rested on the counter. "I promise, it really wasn't that bad. In fact, I think it was a good thing, for both of you." She gave her a quick hug before pulling back and saying, "I almost forgot. She gave me an envelope, and told me to read it to you when you woke up." She walked over to the table and pulled the envelope out from under her purse.
When Dani tried to hand it to her, she said, "No, I believe she told you to read it to me."
Dani rolled her eyes and opened the envelope. She pulled out several sheets of paper and looked at the top one. Her eyes widened at the elegantly scrolled letterhead of the Wellington Center, and the greeting at the top of the letter. She looked up and said, "I don't understand. It's addressed to me."
Alex walked up beside Nikki as she replied, "Well then, I suggest you read it." As Dani began to read, she took Nikki by the hand and led her out into the courtyard. "Where's Madison?" she asked.
"Sleeping on the couch. She should be waking soon. What's that all about?" Nikki asked as she tilted her head back towards the kitchen.
"I'm sure we'll know soon enough."
"You don't know?"
"Not for sure, no, but I have an idea." She walked over and sat on the bench overlooking the lake. As Nikki sat beside her, she snuggled closer.
Nikki placed an arm around Alex, and pulled her close. She opened her mouth to ask her about her earlier comments, and swiftly shut it as she heard footsteps on the path behind them.
An emotional Dani stepped into view and held a hand out to Alex. When she placed her hand into it, Dani pulled her from the bench, and immediately wrapped her arms around her, hugging her fiercely. "Thank you so much." As soon as Dani released her, Rachel stepped up and pulled her into a hug.
"Someone care to enlighten me?" Nikki asked.
Everyone looked expectantly at Alex. With a somewhat uncertain look, she replied, "I made a phone call to Kelly, a friend of mine that runs the Wellington Center. I told her I had someone she might want to meet. I gave her Dani's name and previous place of employment and waited for her to decide if it was worth her time. Apparently it was because we had lunch with her today. I have no idea of what exactly was in the envelope, but my guess is that it was a job offer." She looked over at Dani and waited for confirmation.
Dani nodded and smiled. "A remarkable job offer. They'll pay for all my recertification. I'll get a job with normal hours so I can be there for Madison after school, and I'll make almost twice what I was making before." She wiped a tear from her cheek as she radiated joy and happiness.
"Happy birthday, my friend." Alex said as she embraced her. "You deserve
