Nikki gave her a tentative smile. "I think we need to talk. Do you mind if I walk with you?"
"Not at all." They fell in step and walked quietly through the rows of grapevines for a moment.
"I think I'm still trying to wrap my mind around all of this. I knew you were holding something back, I just had no idea how much." Nikki stuffed her hands into her pockets as they walked. "I'm beginning to understand why you did it, and I forgive you. Can you forgive me for not talking to you about how I was feeling? For just walking away?" She held her breath as she waited for an answer.
"Your leaving hurt. I never saw that coming." Alex ran her hand through her hair as she looked out over the rolling hills. "But I understood why you did it, and I forgave you for it a long time ago." They continued to walk in silence until they reached the villa.
As Alex closed the door behind them and they stepped into the living room Nikki said, "I'd like to go to the party with you later if you don't mind."
Alex paused and looked over at her. "Why would I mind?"
"I'm just trying to avoid making any faulty assumptions."
"Probably wise. Maybe this will help. You can correctly assume that I want you with me all of the time, that I want you in my life for the rest of my life, and that I want you in my bed for the same amount of time." She watched as hope returned to Nikki's eyes. "I love you, mia cara, and nothing less than all of you will do. Can you handle that?"
Nikki stepped up and placed her hands on Alex's waist. "Everything that I have and everything that I am is yours for as long as you'll have me." She leaned down and captured Alex's lips in a kiss that left them both breathless.
"Well, I hope that means you've worked things out." Dani chuckled when she saw Alex's cheeks flush slightly. "What's the matter, honey? Did you forget you two aren't the only ones in the house?"
Alex turned to face Dani with one eyebrow raised and her lips pursed. "Me, forget? Not likely." She took Nikki's hand and walked over to the couch. As they snuggled together she said, "I think we are another step closer, but we still have some things to work through." She smiled as Nikki wrapped her arms around her.
"So what's on the agenda for tomorrow?" Rachel asked.
Alex shrugged. "I have no plans. Why don't you tell me what you'd like to see while you're here in Italy? Maybe we can take a trip or two over the next few days."
Dani's eyes widened. "Really?" She smiled as Alex nodded. "I'd like that. I'll have to think about where to go."
"That sounds like a good idea. While you think about it, I'm going to take a quick nap."
Nikki looked down at Alex her concern evident. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes, cara. I'm just tired. I've not been sleeping well lately." She snuggled closer to her and placed her head on her shoulder. She sighed softly as Nikki began to gently stroke her back. Her eyes slowly drifted shut and before long she was sound asleep.
Alex peered out from behind the clothes hanging in the closet. She watched as her father slapped her mother, knocking her to the ground. He reached out and grabbed her as she tried to crawl away, pulling her closer. Alex cowered in fear as her father began to punch and choke her mother. She felt Raychel place a hand over her mouth as she watched her father pull a knife from his boot and thrust it into her mother's chest repeatedly. She began to shake as she watched the blood pool and her mother slowly turn her head to look into the closet where she hid. Suddenly her mother's blue eyes turned a deep brown as she transformed into Nikki. Alex watched as her lover's pain filled eyes looked at her accusingly. "Why Alex?" Nikki whispered as she died.
Alex screamed and scrambled off of the couch as she fought off the dream. A wave of nausea sent her staggering to the bathroom. After emptying her stomach, she splashed water on her face and quickly brushed her teeth. She took a deep breath and headed back into the living room.
"Is that why you haven't been sleeping well lately?" Rachel asked as she watched Alex walk back into the room. At Alex's barely perceptible nod she continued. "How often are the nightmares coming?"
Alex walked over to the window and stared out as she replied, "Every time I fall asleep."
"When did they start again?"
"It started in June."
Nikki walked up behind her and put her arms around her. "When exactly?" Alex turned and buried her face in her chest. "It's okay, baby. Don't be afraid, you know you can tell me anything."
Alex pulled back and looked into Nikki's eyes. "June eighth." She saw the pain reflected in her eyes and reached up to cup her cheek.
"I'm so sorry. I never meant to –"
"I know, mia cara. I told you that I understood and forgave you a long time ago, and I meant it." She pulled her down and kissed her. "I think it is time to move past it and work on our communication skills so it never happens again. What do you think?"
Nikki smiled as she pulled her closer. "I think I'm a very lucky woman to have found you. And even luckier than I thought
