Nikki looked up and saw Alex carrying a large bowl towards them, and quickly excused herself. "Let me take that," she said as she reached her.
"I've got this, why don't you get some plates and silverware?"
"If you're sure."
"Thank you, cara," Alex said as she continued on to the table. Rachel stood and guided Madison to a seat, helping her set the ice cream down and climb into her chair. As she placed the dessert on the table, she turned to Dani and said, "Would you mind getting a serving spoon? I forgot it." She smiled thankfully at Dani as she stood. As she turned back to survey the table to see if anything else was required, she realized Donna was standing beside her watching Rachel tend to Madison. "She's a wonderful mother." As Donna's eyes met hers Alex smiled and said, "Dani's heart chose well, wouldn't you say?"
Donna nodded and replied, "Yes. It appears Nicole…Nikki's has as well." She saw the surprise in Alex's eyes and smiled. "We may not be very close now, but a mother knows her child. I see the way you two look at each other, and while I may not understand it, I know she's happy."
Alex pulled out a chair for Donna and motioned for her to sit. Donna watched as she pulled her own chair out, and sat as she contemplated voicing her thoughts.
When nothing was immediately forthcoming, Donna looked at her and said, "Please don't hold back now."
"Are you sure?" She watched as Nikki and Dani walked up with the dessert dishes. "These two are likely to tell you to be careful what you ask of me, for you may get it and then some."
As everyone chuckled, Donna placed her hand on her arm. "Please tell me what you were thinking."
Alex looked out over the lake as she began to speak. "When I was young, I would pray to God to help me understand his purpose for taking my family from me. God never answered my prayers, so I visited many churches and met with many ministers, counselors, and the like. No matter what faith, they all told me the same thing." She looked at Donna as she said, "Stop trying to understand and just accept that it is. Once you accept that God made us this way for his purpose, your pain will ease, and your heart will once again fill with love whether you understand or not."
Donna sat back in her chair and regarded her thoughtfully as everyone else held their breath and waited.
Madison climbed down from her chair, wiping ice cream from her chin, and walked up to Alex. "Angel, will you tell me another story?"
"Of course, piccola." She picked the little girl up and set her on her lap facing her grandmother. The table was quiet while she began to spin a tale of anger and sadness. Madison listened intently as her favorite monkey overheard one of the parrots saying something mean about her mother. "When Millie expressed her anger and hatred of the parrots to Lexi, Lexi told her that she needed to forgive the parrot. 'Hatred and anger will poison your heart, Millie. You must learn to forgive,' Lexi told her." She looked down at a wide-eyed Madison as she continued the story. "Millie refused to believe her friend, and tried to chase the parrots off. What she didn't understand is that her anger and hatred were making her sick."
Madison looked at Donna, then up at Alex as she asked, "Will Millie forgive the parrot?"
"Do you think she should?" Madison nodded. Alex told her how Millie finally apologized to the parrot and they became friends.
Nikki began to dish up the dessert as everyone sat around quietly, thinking about the story. Madison leaned over and placed her small hand on Donna's leg. When Donna looked at her, she said, "I'm sorry I was mad at you. I forgive you for what you said about my angel and my Momma."
Donna wiped a tear from her eye and gave her a tentative smile. "I'm very sorry I said those things. I was wrong." Alex smiled as Madison reached over and gave Donna a hug.
"Would you like me to get you a pen and paper?" Dani asked Alex as she helped Madison climb down from her lap.
She thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. "No, thank you. I think that was a one-timer."
"I think it would be good to have a book teaching tolerance." Dani saw the flash of distaste cross Alex's features. "What is it?"
"I hate that word. I strive for acceptance. I do not wish to simply be tolerated."
Dani nodded. "Well, when you put it like that…"
Alex was surprised when both Donna and John hugged her as they said good-bye, and thanked her for opening her home. As she closed the door behind them, Nikki turned to her and said, "Well, I think that went pretty well, don't you?"
"Yes, my love, I do." She walked into Nikki's arms and placed her head on her shoulder. She sighed contentedly as she slipped her arms around her, holding her close.
"Will you two quit making out, and get in here?" Dani called out. "We could use your help."
Alex looked up at Nikki with one raised eyebrow. "What did you tell her?" she asked.
"Nothing, I swear."
