"My muse has abandoned me. I've never gone this long without writing. That may be the last book she'll ever give me." She shrugged, but knew the pain was visible in her eyes. "Seeing them now just brings me pain. I may give them all away, or burn them."
Nikki walked up and pulled Alex into her arms. "Why would you do that, sweetheart? You've worked hard on these books, they're a part of you."
"It hurts to see them all and realize I may never write another."
Dani stepped away from her wife and placed a hand on Alex's back. "You will. You're too talented not to. Just give it a little time." She leaned down and placed a kiss on her temple. "Thank you for giving me your book, and for the note you wrote inside. It's even more special to me now that I know you wrote it." She smiled as she stepped back. "Now what was that about going to a party?"
Alex took a deep breath and pulled away from Nikki. "That's right. We wouldn't want to keep the birthday girl waiting any longer than necessary would we?"
Chapter Nineteen
Alex prepared the Moka pot, set it on the stove, and lit the burner. While she waited for the coffee to brew, she gathered cups and a jug of milk. She turned as she heard the back door open.
Zaira walked in carrying a basket. "Mom sent me with biscuits and homemade jam."
"Lovely." She took the basket from her and placed it on the counter. "Will you stay for breakfast?"
"I don't want to intrude. I know you have company." Zaira began to empty the basket, placing the items on the counter. "You don't need a kid hanging around."
Alex reached out and stilled her hands. "I don't see a kid here anywhere, do you?" The young woman stood quietly, unable to look at her. "Have I treated you like a kid?"
"No, Alex. You haven't." She bit her lower lip. "It's my parents. They treat me like a child."
"I'm sorry, piccola. I don't know what to tell you. I never had parents, so I don't know if that's normal or not." They both looked up in surprise as Rachel spoke up from the doorway.
"It's very normal. You will always be their baby, no matter how old you get." She gave Zaira a smile. "Its just a fact of life you'll have to get used to."
"You're probably right, Miss Rachel. It's just difficult to take sometimes." She smiled and shrugged. "You know how it is, yes?"
"Yes, I do. You'll survive." Rachel looked over at Alex and asked, "Is there coffee this morning?"
"Of course. Give me just a moment." She pulled Zaira in for a hug and whispered in her ear, "Please stay." She smiled when she felt the young woman nod. "Good."
Alex pushed her empty plate away and reached for her cappuccino. "Did you have a good birthday, piccola?"
Zaira leaned back in her chair and smiled. "Yes. It was a very nice party, and I was fortunate to get some nice presents." She stood and began to clear the table. "I wanted to thank you again for the necklace." She set the plates in the sink and returned to her chair.
Alex watched as she ran her finger over the table in random patterns. "What is it, my friend?"
Zaira looked up with a shy smile. "Will you do me a favor?"
Alex set her cup down and sat back in her chair. "What is it you need, piccola?"
"Will you talk to my parents? I really want to travel before I go to college, but they say no. I know they'll listen to you." She leaned forward and looked beseechingly at her.
Alex pushed her chair back and stood. "I'm sorry, Zaira but I don't think I can do that." She walked over to the counter and picked up a manila envelope. "I believe your parents just want what is best for you, and I will not interfere with that." She stood beside the table and looked at the dejected young woman. "Maybe they feel you have responsibilities here that cannot be ignored. Maybe they think you will be too busy." She slid the envelope across the table until it stopped in front of Zaira. "Happy Birthday, my friend." Zaira looked up at her questioningly. "Open it."
Zaira picked up the envelope and pulled out the paperwork. Seconds later she looked up, her eyes wide. When Alex smiled, she let out a scream, jumped out of her seat, and flew into her arms. She was so excited she was unable to find enough words to express herself in English and slipped into her native Italian. "Oh my God, Alex. I don't know what to say. Thank you so much." She wrapped her arms around her, lifted her off her feet, and swung her around in circles.
Alex laughed as she clung to her. "You've worked hard and deserve this."
Zaira set her on her feet, grabbed her face in her hands, and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "I can't believe it. It's really mine?"
Alex took a step back and chuckled. "Yes, little one. Read the contract. The land is yours, and the vines are mine. The vineyard will pay you for the use of the land, and you will get a percentage of the sales of the wine from those grapes." She watched as Zaira slowly sat back down. "It'll take a couple of years to produce wine, but you'll make money from the land right away. This will help you pay off your student loans and put you through college. There are a few strings attached, but it's all spelled out there."
Zaira looked down at the paperwork in front of her in disbelief. Alex just smiled and sat back down. As she reached for her cup, she heard Nikki ask, "What was that all about?"
"I just gave Zaira her birthday present."
Dani leaned forward, her brow slightly furrowed. "I thought you gave her a present last
