Part Three

Gillian stood leaning slightly against the rail . She loved being in this part of Washington during early spring. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the day was just perfect. This was her secret place. Candice had to go into the office so she decided to see the cherry blossoms on her own. Most people that visited the capital never realized that there was this wonderful time. A special time during spring that lasted for perhaps only a few days. Rows of cherry blossoms along the river that created the most beautiful effect she had ever seen. Since she had moved to Washington D.C. with Candice three years before she had never missed it, today was perfect. She went to the Jefferson Memorial, her favorite of all the places in the famous city, and she walked around it and just leaned against the rail listening as the River slowly went on its way. She closed her eyes and smelled in the sweetness of the sunny day. Her face turned up and she smiled.

"You are truly beautiful, cara mia," a velvety voice said next to her ear.

Gillian turned slowly somehow not surprised that Adele would be there. Adele leaned forward and she did not back away. Their lips touched briefly before Adele took a step back and chose to stand next to her.

"Adele…"

"No, give me just a little," Adele said softly and looked towards the water sadly. "I hurt, cara. I have never hurt like this before."

Gillian looked at her, neither angry nor surprised. Those words from anyone else might have sounded theatrical but they rang true from the woman standing next to her. Somehow this was very much Adele's way. She was by far the most interesting woman she had ever met.

"Adele…"

"Just a little…"

Gillian turned and both stood quietly.

"You love this place." Adele stated.

"Yes," Gillian answered, smiling shyly.

"It is so you, the beauty of this secret place. Not many visit this place and yet…I do see what calls to you, cara," Adele said as she turned to face her. "It is all you."

Gillian wanted as always to just surrender to the dark haired Contessa that had begun to haunt her dreams but she couldn't. She had given her word to Candice and that she could not break. Adele was a desire that she to suppress.

"I am not asking for anything, just a little time with you," Adele said sadly. "I know that I have not touched your heart. It is almost just that it is this way." Adele looked away. "You have cut deeply into me and I cannot pull you out."

"Adele…I can't…"

"I know…you are in love with someone else."

Gillian opened her mouth to only close it again.

"I will be leaving for Fiorenze tomorrow. I just wanted to see you one more time."

Gillian looked towards her now.

"I want a few hours. Can you give me that, cara?" Adele's head leaned down. When she heard no answer she looked towards Gillian and faced her. "Just a few hours, cara, that's all I ask."

Gillian said nothing and only nodded as Adele smiled. "Walk with me."

They walked side by side slowly and quietly down the path surrounded by the pink hew of the blossoms and occasionally would take turns shyly smiling one at the other.

Along there walk they sat at a bench. Adele closed her eyes and tried to take it all in. She wanted to take this perfect picture of Gillian with her.

"When will you be back?" Gillian broke the silence.

"I will not be back," Adele answered as she opened her eyes avoiding looking at her.

"Why?"

"Because you will be here."

"Adele…"

Adele faced her now. "I love you. I have never been in love before and I know that I have done this all wrong. I don't know how to act or what to say since all that I have said has been wrong! Nothing that I have done has been right." Adele stood up and took a few steps away from her. With her back to Gillian now she continued to speak. "I have always gotten what I wanted. I have never needed. Now that I find myself needing I…"

Adele took a few more steps away. "I tried to stay away from you, and all I could think of while away was when I would be coming back here to see you again. You are all I think about. In the beginning I don't know what it was…finding all the things that you liked, where you lived, who you knew, what you did. And then one day I realized that you were in every thought, every breath…I wanted to include you or the thought of you in every aspect of my life. I wanted …I didn't only want you for an affair like I have always taken people, Gillian. I wanted you in my life, for the rest of my life."

Gillian was speechless. She could neither speak nor move. The words had touched her heart like words had never touched her before.

"You hardly know me."

Adele faced her in desperation. "I have always known you!"

"You just want to get me to bed, Adele." Gillian fought her desire to just give in. She had given herself reason against what she knew had been growing inside her.

"Yes, I want you, Gillian. I want you like I have never wanted in my whole life." Adele did not deny it. "Why is it wrong to want you?"

Gillian turned away.

"I want all of you. I want to walk with you and share your day. I want to make love to you during the night and wake up with you in my arms. I want all the things that I have denied every other lover. I want to wake up with you."

Gillian remained quite.

Adele took a deep breath. "Goodbye, Gillian. Thank you giving me this time with you. I won't interfere in your life anymore. I sincerely hope that you are happy."

When Adele didn't hear her speak she started to walk away.

"Wait," Gillian said weakly and stood on legs that could barely sustain her.

Adele turned around and saw the fear and indecision in her eyes. She quickly closed the distance between them and took her in her arms. "Love me, cara, I promise you that I will make you glad you do." Adele's lips sealed the unspoken promise.

Gillian's eyes filled with tears and she pulled away slowly as she looked into Adele's eyes. "I promised her I would never hurt her."

"I won't let you go." Adele kissed her passionately once more as she pulled her back into her embrace.

"Adele…Adele." Gillian cried as she clung to the woman that was tightly holding her. "I have tried so hard not to love you. I have tried so hard…"

"Cara…ti amo cara mia…" Adele kissed her then pulled her again into a fierce embrace. "You are mine Cara…you are mine."

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Candice walked into the house and instantly knew that there was something wrong. Gillian walked into the living room not quite looking at her.

"Hello, babe." Candice walked up to her to kiss her and Gillian turned her face away. Candice was about to ask what was wrong when she noticed Adele enter the room.

"What is she doing here?" Candice demanded.

"Candice…" Gillian said softly but could not continue.

Candice turned towards her and saw the tears running down her lover's face. "What did she do? Did she hurt you?"

"No…" Gillian could barely speak. "I'm sorry, Candy…I'm sorry."

Candice turned her anger towards the woman that had become her worst nightmare.

"You bitch!"

"Candice, don't," Gillian pleaded.

"Did you fuck her? How could you?" Candice accused.

"Don't speak to her that way!" Adele immediately took a step forward.

"You shut the fuck up!" Candice was heading for Adele when Gillian stepped in front of her.

"Candice, it's not her."

Candice looked from Gillian to Adele and back to Gillian again in confusion.

"I didn't want to fall in love with her but, I did," Gillian said miserably.

"She's no good, Gillian. She's no good."

"Candice, I love her," Gillian said softly. "I loved her from the first instant. I didn't want to but I do."

Candice stared at Adele murderously. "Well, you got your way didn't you. Did you fuck her in our bed?"

"If you don't shut your filthy mouth I will shut it for you!" Adele grew angrier and angrier.

"You disgust me, get out of my house!" Candice took a few steps away from Gillian.

"I'm sorry, Candy. I'm sorry…"

"Get out."

"I…"

"Get out!" Candice yelled as she turned to face Gillian once more. "Get out of my sight. She's a user, Gillian. How long do you think she is going to want you? She will eventually get tired of fucking you and just discard you like she discards all else in her life."

Candice walked towards a drawer in a nearby desk and pulled out a file. "Here, read this. Read all about your precious Contessa. Read about how honorable she truly is. You won't last a week in her world."

Candice shoved the file into Gillian's hands and walked away from her.

Adele walked up behind Gillian and pulled her to her; she then took the file from Gillian's hands and through it to the floor. "She is still in love with me. And I am taking her with me," Adele hissed.

"Adele…" Gillian pulled away.

"Get out, please."

"My pleasure," Adele growled and took Gillian by the hand.

"Adele, I need to talk to her."

"No!"

"She's right, Gillian. We have nothing to talk about. Just go," Candice said miserably.

"Please, Adele, wait for me outside," Gillian pleaded.

"Cara, no…"

"Please."

Adele looked deeply into Gillian's eyes then nodded her head and walked out.

Gillian turned towards Candice who was now staring at her.

"You lied to me."

"Candice, I never meant to lie…I can't explain what happened. She is just something I can't fight. I never wanted to hurt you," Gillian said gently.

"I trusted you. Please just tell me you didn't sleep with her on our bed. Please just tell me that." Candice cried miserably as eyes pleaded.

"No, we didn't. I wouldn't do that to you. I haven't slept with her, Candy. I haven't."

Candice stared at her in disbelief then the truth of the words hit her. "What?"

"I haven't…we haven't. I …"

Candice stared at Gillian and saw the battle that was raging in her still. "Gillian, are you sure about this?" Candice asked gently.

"I can't fight her. What I feel is so strong that I can't fight it anymore." Tears spilled from her eyes and slid down her cheeks. "I…"

Candice wanted so badly to hate her but somehow loving Gillian was something that had always been inside her. She had loved Gillian her whole life and she knew that it would always be this way. They had grown up together. Candice knew that Gillian had not lied to her. She also knew that she could still have a part of Gillian if she was careful now. Candice took a few steps closer and Gillian looked up.

"Candy…"

"I know." Candice took her into her arms. "If you ever need me I will be here."

"Candy," Gillian cried all the harder.

Candice stood by the window and watched as Gillian walked up to Adele. Adele took her into her arms and her eyes at that moment met Candice's.

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"Amore, amore mio," Adele whispered into Gillian's ear as she held her fiercely.

She had never been more afraid in her whole life as she patiently waited for Gillian to come out. It took all the strength she possessed not to go back inside and physically bring her out. A part of her kept screaming 'go get her!' and the other kept repeating that Gillian had to this her own way or she would never truly be happy. The few minutes that she waited seemed to last a lifetime. When she finally saw Gillian walk out the front door she had never in her life felt such relief. Slowly and gently, never for one moment releasing Gillian from her embrace she walked her to the waiting car.

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Candice watched Adele guide Gillian into a black limousine. She thought her heart would break as she tried to breathe. The last thing she remembered seeing was Adele looking in her direction once more and raising her chin defiantly. Candice's hands clenched into fists, she hated Adele Visconti. She didn't blame Gillian; a part of her had already forgiven her but Adele Visconti was another matter altogether.

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Adele held Gillian as she wept. She would show her the world. Gillian would know all the beauty that existed and she would be the one to give it to her. Adele's heart overflowed with happiness. Never had she felt such rapture nor such triumph. She now held in her arms her heart's desire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner had been by candlelight and somehow the most romantic music Gillian had ever heard seemed to come from nowhere and fill the dinning hall. They had both dressed for dinner. Adele had not left her side since they had arrived earlier. The champagne, the lobster, the luscious dessert had all blended into the perfection of the evening.

Adele was a master of romance; she had once boasted that every woman could be had and yet not one of her conquests had ever possessed her heart. Gillian had surprised her in so many ways. Gillian she had waited for, cajoled, romanced, and Gillian, unlike any other, she loved. She held Gillian's hand as she slowly led her up the staircase. She thought her heart would burst out of her chest with its pounding.

When they finally reached the bedroom door Adele reached for the doorknob and stopped as soon as Gillian covered her hand. Her eyes moved up and all the doubt that Gillian might have had disappeared as soon as she looked into her Contessa's eyes.

"I'm afraid," Gillian said softly.

Adele's hand went up to her face and caressed it. "I am filled with such love for you, amore mio. It is love, I swear it." Adele wanted, needed Gillian to understand that this was something new for her.

Gillian swayed towards her and her forehead leaned against Adele's lips.

"Come," Adele said as she opened the door and walked inside.

The room was covered only by the light of the moon shining though the big French doors that led onto a balcony. Gillian took a few steps in front of Adele then turned around and faced her.

Adele walked up to her and her eyes began caressing Gillian's face and then traveled down her body. When her eyes came back up to meet the one's of the woman in front of her they were filled with passion.

"You are so beautiful, cara." Adele's velvety voice said. Her voice had the effect of a caress to Gillian's senses.

Adele took a step towards her without touching her. She willed Gillian's boyd to sway forward. Then still without her hands touching her she leaned forward and her lips slowly and seductively traveled from Gillian's ear lobe to the edge of her mouth. "I'm going to make you mine."

Gillian's head fell back as Adele's mouth traveled down her neck and then Adele's arms pulled their bodies closer still. Adele's hands then traveled up caressing her and slid both straps down Gillian's gown. At that moment both women looked into each other's eyes without moving. Gillian took a step back without braking eye contact continued to slide down the straps and bared her breasts before Adele.

Adele's eyes turned molten and every fiber in her being began to throb inside her. "Gillian…" she managed to say barely breathing.

Gillian held her hand out and Adele gave it.

Adele stood beside her and suddenly her eyes filled with tears. Gillian brushed them lovingly away.

"I love you, Gillian," Adele said softly as she kissed her lovingly. The tenderness of the kiss began to gradually demand and Gillian's mouth opened and allowed Adele to begin her possession.

Slowly Adele lowered her onto the bed and between kisses and caresses they both lay half clothed.

"Cara…" Adele pinned Gillian beneath her and there bodies fused in a primal effort to become one.

"Ah…" Gillian let her head fall back as she felt Adele's caresses moving lower. The throbbing between her legs begged for release and when she felt Adele's touch she felt her world begin to spin. "Dell, oh God, Dell…."

Their love making had begun slowly, with tenderness, touching, exploring, feeling, kissing, tasting each other's skin. The kisses and caress's began gently until the fire and passion that had bound them from the very first moment erupted and as bodies fused and bodies melted into one another screams of pleasure filled there senses.

During the night the light coming from the large window awakened Adele and the warmth of the woman in her arms filled her with more happiness than she thought possible. Adele then tightened her arms. "I love you, Dell," Gillian said softly.

Gillian turned around to face her and gently caressed the face of her dark haired lover. Adele held her hand then turned her hand and kissed it.

"I need you like the air I breathe, Gillian," Adele said passionately. And at that moment saw the fragility of that statement.

Gillian smiled softly and leaned to kiss her. She then pressed the Contessa down onto the bed and began to make love to her with all the tenderness she felt inside for her.

Adele had never had anyone love her as Gillian had done. She had never allowed anyone to get that close. The gentleness of her lover's touch had gone beyond anything she had ever experienced. Adele wept from the beauty of the union. Gillian held her tighter and told her over and over again that she would never leave. And thus begun their life together, based on a promise of love.

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Dinner was a formal affair. Gillian concentrated on the baby was at first excited at being at the table in her high chair during dinner with her other mother now being home as well. Adele barely spoke unless Caty addressed her.

Towards the end of the dinner Caty began to look visibly sleepy.

"Time for beddy bye sweet pea," Gillian said softly as she began to take her daughter out of the high chair.

"No… no mommy, no." Caty began to fuss.

"Let me." Adele came to her aid and Gillian stepped aside. "Does my principesa want to fly?" She asked indulgently.

The child immediately smiled and nodded. "Come along then, mama will fly you upstairs."

Caty held her arms out for her mother to take her and smiled.

Gillian noticed how the servant clearing the table smiled secretly as the austere Contessa was so very human after all. No one doubted that she adored her child. And Gillian felt the pain inside her magnify once more. She then took a step back and repeated to herself again, I am doing the right thing, it is better this way.

"Come along, cara, let's put this little one to bed." In her joy of her daughter Adele had forgotten their estrangement and had called her her beloved. Adele continued making buzzing noises and never realized what she had said.

Gillian followed her up the stairs. They both helped get the little girl to bed and both stood by her bedside after kissing her good night.

"Good night, baby," Gillian said as she pulled up the covers over her daughter.

"Night mommy," Caty said as she gave her mother another hug.

Adele then leaned down and kissed her daughter again as well.

"Mama, sleep with me?" The sleepy child asked Adele.

"No, my darling not tonight," Adele said as she caressed the child's hair, leaning down and kissing her on the forehead once more.

"Mommy can sleep with us too, mama." The little girl insisted.

"Not tonight little one, not tonight." Adele insisted tenderly.

"Okay, you sleep with mommy." Caty finally conceded turning on her side, grabbing her stuffed toy and falling quickly asleep.

Both women walked out of the room quietly. Once in the hallway Adele faced her. "You can use the other bedroom to the other side of Caty's room. It has been prepared for you."

"All right, thank you, Adele," Gillian said softly. She felt weak suddenly and swayed unexpectedly and without warning towards Adele.

She was immediately held in a warm embrace. An embrace that she craved to surrender to but knew she must not. Gillian then pulled herself away.

"Gillian…"

"I'm so sorry. I think I am just tired," Gillian said apologetically and walked away towards her bedroom.

Adele stood without moving looking at her as she walked away wondering how she would ever survive loosing the woman that to her shame she still loved.

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Gillian walked into the room that she had decorated only two years before; then, this was her home and now she was just a visitor. She ran her fingers over the comforter that had taken her a month to choose and smiled at the memory. Then she sat down and took in a deep breath. Her new journey had begun and she would see it through; Gillian than reached over to the telephone on her nightstand and proceeded to call Candice.

"You are what?" Candice could not believe what she had just heard. "Are you crazy?"

"This is what it will take to make things work," Gillian said rubbing her temple. Her headache was unbearable.

"Gillian, I don't think this is a good idea. I'm afraid for you. She won't be the same now, Gilly… now her truly colors will come out." Candice wanted her words to strike Gillian and they did.

"I… I have to believe that she will keep her word, Candice. I can't fight her… and I don't want to."

Candice remained quiet. She could hear the weariness in Gillian's voice. "She..."

"I'm tired, Candice."

"I know you are, baby, I know you are. I'm sorry that it's so hard. You have a headache, don't you?" Candice asked sympathetically.

"Yes…" Gillian said as she began to weep. "How did you know?"

"You always get a headache when you are stressed, sweetheart," Candice said tenderly.

Gillian then began to sob. "Oh Candy, why? Why would this happen? Oh God, why?" Gillian held on to the phone and wept inconsolably.

"Oh Gilly, please don't cry, baby. Please don't cry. God! I wish I was there." Candice took a deep breath. "Gilly baby, please, please."

"I'm sorry…"

"There is nothing to be sorry about. I know how hard this is. I will stand by you no matter what babe. You are not alone okay? Remember that. Will you remember that?" Candice waited for the answer patiently.

"Yes, yes I will." Gillian finally said a little calmer. "Goodnight Candice…"

Before she finished saying goodnight she heard the door open and instantly she knew that Adele had heard her say goodnight to Candice.

Gillian hung up the phone and stood up to face her. Adele stared at her with such hatred that it physically hurt her.

After a moment Adele spoke. "I thought you might need these." She handed Gillian a negligee and a few other toiletries.

"Yes, thank you." Gillian looked down at the clothing and then looked back up into Adele's eyes. "Thank you."

Adele took a step forward and brushed a tear away. "She doesn't like the arrangement, does she?" As tender has the touch had been her words sounded as cold as steel.

Gillian merely kept looking into her eyes.

"She will have you back soon enough. Don't embarrass me, Gillian. Another scandal I will not allow. Keep your lover away from the public eye or I will take Caty away and you will never see her again." Adele hissed.

Gillian's eyes over flowed with tears. "Dell, why are you being so cruel?"

Adele said nothing; the coldness in her eyes unyielding. "I don't owe you anything." She finally said seething.

Gillian reached out to touch her and found her hand in a tight grip.

"Don't you ever touch me!" Adele hissed as she suddenly pulled her roughly to her. "Missing my touch already, cara?" She said menacingly.

"Dell, please," Gillian said softly and let her forehead lean forward until it touched the side of Adele's temple. "Don't hate me, please." Gillian pleaded miserably.

Adele could feel Gillian's breath on her skin and closed her eyes. She released her hold and Gillian's arms came up around her neck as she wept.

"Please Dell…I…" A sob racketed Gillian's body as her arms tightened around Adele's neck. Gillian clung to her and the thought of that brought to the surface too many emotions for her to process. Holding Gillian like this another minute would surely kill her. Her body did not register that the woman in her arms was no longer her lover and the need to touch her, love her came alive once more.

Adele's arms began to hold her. But, the pain of the betrayal was all that she could feel suddenly. She could not be Gillian's friend. What Gillian was asking for was impossible. She could no more be her friend than she would be her lover ever again. Adele removed Gillian's arms from around her neck and walked out of her arms and out of the room without saying a word.

Gillian fell on her knees as soon as she saw the door close. She knew that in her moment of weakness she had placed another scar on Adele's heart.


Continued...