"I don't know how I can ever repay you."
Alex stepped back and frowned at her. "You don't need to, besides all I did was make a phone call to bring you to Kelly's attention. You did all the rest years ago." At Dani's skeptical look, she continued. "Trust me. She researched you before she decided to call me and invite us to lunch. That envelope was sealed on her desk before we ever arrived. Your work ethic, personality, and abilities got you that offer not me."
Dani gave her a smirk and said, "Well in that case, I'm not sure a phone call is enough of a birthday present. You may be getting off too easy."
"I guess I'll just have to see what else I can do."
"What about me?" Alex turned and looked at Nikki. "It's my birthday too. Don't I get a present?"
"Are we really going to do this now instead of Saturday?"
Dani and Nikki both nodded. "It might be best," Dani replied. "We'll both be nervous and uncomfortable on Saturday, and may not be nearly as appreciative as we would be right now." She saw the incredulous look on Alex's face and said, "Besides, you started it."
"How old are you children exactly?" Alex couldn't help but smile at the innocent look both sisters gave her.
"Thirty," they replied in unison, making both Alex and Rachel chuckle.
"Fine. Let's go into the living room and sit." Alex began to limp towards the door as everyone followed.
Nikki stepped up beside her and asked, "Do you need a hand?" At her nod, she placed one arm around her waist and helped her into the house.
Alex guided Nikki towards the office where she pointed out the gifts. "Bring that bag with you," she said as she picked up a card-sized envelope from her desk before heading out to the recliner. Nikki placed the bag on Alex's lap, and sat on the floor at her feet. As everyone settled in, she pulled a box out of the bag and handed it to Nikki. "This one is for you." She watched as she put it to her ear and gently shook it. "Open it," she urged.
Nikki slowly tore the wrapping from the box, opened the flaps, and looked inside. She looked up at Alex with a startled expression, then looked back down and reverently pulled the glove from the box. As she turned it over in her hands, feeling the supple leather she said, "How did you…"
Alex bit her lip nervously as Nikki's voice trailed off. "Do you like it?" she asked hesitantly.
Nikki turned to her with a look of wonder on her face. "Yes. It's beautiful. I didn't realize how much I missed playing until just now. Do you play?"
Alex hesitated briefly before replying. "No, not anymore. Now it's out of the question." She slowly rubbed her aching thigh. "I bet Rachel would love to play with you though." She reached into the bag and pulled out the catcher's mitt, tossing it to Rachel.
"Oh my God, Alex. This is too much," she said as she clutched the glove to her chest.
"No, Ray, it's not enough, but it's a start. You won't let me pay for our sessions even though you can't see anyone else on those mornings, so this is the least I can do." She pulled one of the balls from the bag and tossed it to Nikki. "Why don't you two go play catch and see how they feel?" She smiled as Nikki hopped to her feet and placed a kiss on her cheek before heading for the door. Once they were gone, she turned to Dani and held the envelope out to her. "This isn't much, but it's more than just a phone call."
Dani shook her head and refused to take the envelope. "I was teasing, Alex. You've given me far more than I could have ever hoped for. I don't need anything else."
She held it out again and said, "Sometimes the gift is for the giver as much as it is for the recipient. Please take it."
Dani reached out, took the envelope, and opened it. She smiled as she read the top page, written in Alex's hand, detailing free babysitting service for two days and one night. When she looked at the second page she gasped and tears sprang to her eyes. It was a gift certificate for two days and one night at the local lakeside resort and spa. It included a three hundred dollar certificate to be used in the spa and dining facilities. She was momentarily speechless as she looked at Alex in disbelief. She wiped the moisture from her cheek and asked, "Why?"
"Why not?" Alex looked up as Nikki and Rachel walked back into the room. Rachel hurried to Dani's side when she saw she was upset. Dani handed her the gift and watched as she read it. When Rachel looked up at her, she said, "Dani wanted to know why I would have given her such a gift. She doesn't understand the gift you have all given me."
"What is that?" Rachel asked.
"You and me." At Dani's look of confusion, she explained. "Because of your loving, caring personalities, my family has more than doubled, and I'm learning to live again. More than that, I'm starting to trust, something I feared I'd never be able to do." She gave Rachel and Dani a smile. "You've done something most people would never do. You've shared your most precious treasure with me, a complete stranger." She watched as Madison rubbed her eyes and looked around. Seeing that Alex was now awake, she hopped off the couch, ran up, and climbed into her lap to give her a hug. "I was wondering if you were going to wake up, piccola."
Madison looked up at her and said, "I was scared for you, Angel. You wouldn't wake up. Aunt Nikki said you were just really tired, but I thought you were hurt again." She placed a hand on Alex's cheek. "Are you hurt?"
"No, piccola,
