Part Six

Adele gave all her attention to Catty as Margot came down the staircase and walked towards Gillian.

"Hello, Gillian," Margot said as she kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"Hello, Margot," Gillian said as she looked towards Adele. She wasn't sure how Adele wanted to handle this so she looked towards her for guidance. Adele picked up their daughter and walked over to her, placed her arm around her waist and kissed her lightly on the lips.

Gillian looked up into the eyes that were familiar and held only love for her. How easy it had always been to simply just down in them and lover her. Adele had never denied her love; she had never shied from showing her in front of other; and now this farce because it surely now it was a farce it hurt somehow to know that she would never truly see that love in those dark eyes.

"Hello, Katerina," Margot said as she sought to caress her niece.

Catty turned away from her and buried her face in her mother's neck.

"She is tired, Margot. I'm sure she will be better behaved once she has had her nap." Adele explained simply. The truth of the matter is that Catty had never been receptive to her aunt's attention.

"She has grown since I last saw her." Margot directed her smile to Adele and totally ignored Gillian.

Margot was being intentionally rude and Adele immediately reacted to it. Gillian was her wife and as such she would be respected in her house. Just as quickly she also knew that Gillian wasn't really that anymore was she? Gillian lived, loved and slept with someone else. That one last thought suddenly filled her body with an ache that she could not bear. It hurt. It hurt more than she would have ever imagined. The pain seemed to grow with time rather than lessen. She felt tired. She want to just take her wife and child somewhere far away and live the dream that she once thought would never end.

"Gillian, darling, you look rather pale, not like yourself at all." Margot's tone was venomous.

"I'm…" Gillian's eyes began to fill with tears. Margot had always been unkind to her and at times she had actually been cruel but never in front of Adele. She could feel Adele's body stiffen next to her.

"Come along, cara, you must be tired after your trip," Adele said a bit too curtly, staring at her sister. Gillian nodded and Adele guided both mother and daughter up the staircase as Margot glared after them.

Adele's behavior had surprised her. Now she wasn't sure exactly what was going on. They had both walked up the staircase with their daughter as if nothing had changed.

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Adele put down her daughter and sat down next to her on the bed. Catty rubbed her eyes and a small yawn escaped her mouth as her mother adoringly looked at her.

"You are tired, little one." Adele caressed her child's hair and leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. As she raised her face very close to her daughter's face she whispered. "Welcome home, my sweet one."

Gillian was putting away some of Catty's clothes but could not help being pulled into the love being displayed in front of her. Adele had always managed to fascinate her at times like this. This was the woman that she loved and the one that she had to stay away from. Adele would never have left her even under the circumstances that she found herself in. She would have stuck by her till the very end, risking getting the disease. Adele would survive this only if she gave her some solid ground to hang onto; she had to do this if it meant that she had to make Adele hate her. If she could kill at least a part of Adele's love for her that would be enough. Adele would go on for their daughter's sake.

Gillian was filled with a longing that she could barely control; she wanted to run to Adele and seek the comfort she so dearly craved from her lover's embrace. She shut her eyes and tried pulling herself away from what she so desperately craved.. Suddenly she heard a whisper close to her ear like in a far away dream.

"Do you need a nap too, cara mia?" Adele asked softly.

Gillian could not control a smile from appearing as her eyes remained closed.

Adele felt Gillian lean back against her and was surprised, but allowed it. Gillian's body felt warm as it leaned back against her own and suddenly her senses were filled with the fragrance of Gillian's hair. Adele closed her eyes trying desperately not to reach and embrace her. Then without a thought her arms surrounded the body that melded into hers just as it Gillian began to collapse.

"What?" Adele was trying to hold Gillian, up not understanding what was happening. Somehow she managed to get them both to the floor without Gillian hurting herself. "Gillian… Gillian." Adele caressed her lover's face softly as her emotions ran rampant from confusion and fear. She looked towards Catty's bed and saw that she was fast asleep.

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"Come take a nap with me, cara mia," Adele whispered into her ear.

"Dell, it's two o'clock in the afternoon." Gillian teased, knowing full well that the last thing her lover had in mind was sleeping.

Adele pulled her back against her. "I will always want you, cara." She finished saying kissing Gillian's ear. "Our little principessa is taking a nap and my body aches for you, cara mia. Come to bed with me…"

Gillian turned around in her arms and saw the molten desire apparent in the eyes of Adele. She raised her hand to caress the face of the woman that she loved.

"I have never felt such love as I feel for you," Gillian said with such emotion that Adele pulled back a little and looked at her. "I cannot imagine living without you."

Adele took her into her embrace and held her tightly. "Mi amore, my life will end the day I loose you. I will die with you. Gillian, I love you more than life itself."

Gillian pulled away and saw as tears ran down the beautiful face of her Contessa as she said, "You are my life, during it I will love no other, after you I shall simply die." Adele stared deeply into her eyes as she had said the words.

Gillian brushed the tears away. "I plan to live forever in this fairytale with you, my dark haired lover. I want at least a hundred years." Gillian smiled.

"One year, one day or even one minute…I would give up my life to spend it with you," Adele said seriously.

Gillian smiled. "Let's not speak of sad things….we have a lifetime in front of us. And…"

"And?" Adele asked.

"And, I want my nap," Gillian said as she met Adele's lips with her own.

That afternoon Adele had loved her… loved her slowly, with great tenderness and with such passion that it had surprised her somehow. Later as they lay in each other's arms she felt Adele's embrace tighten around her. She looked up and found those dark eyes that had bewitched her staring at her.

"What is it, darling?" Gillian asked as her hand caressed Adele's face softly.

"If I lose you I will die…" Adele said as a tear escaped from her eye and rolled down her cheek.

"You will never die, my love, you will never lose me." Gillian kissed her lips as Adele's arms embraced her and made love to her once more that sunny afternoon as their daughter slept safely close by.

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Gillian's eyes opened slowly and there throbbing pain in her head was unbearable. A moan escaped her lips and Adele seemed to be immediately next to her. Gillian felt disoriented and overwhelmed with the searing spasms of pain.

"Don't try to get up, cara," Adele said softly.

"My head, it hurts…" the pain was so intense she began to cry and was instantly taken into a warm embrace. Gillian shut her eyes and buried her face into the softness of Adele's arms.

Gillian clung to her for comfort as she wept. She slowly started to relax as Adele methodically caressed her hair and whispered phrases of love in Italian to her. Gillian's body began to surrender to the warmth and safety of the embrace the held her. Something inside her had needed this as gradually her senses gave in to sleep as she had done many times before in Adele's arms.

Adele leaned back slowly taking Gillian's body with her. She could feel Gillian's arms clinging to her even in her sleep. At that moment she refused to think. The pain inside her was now bearable. Adele simply held Gillian closer to her and closed her eyes as well.

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"What is the commotion, Marco?" Margot asked irritably.

"Mrs. Visconti fainted and the Contessa had me call the doctor to come and see her." Marco could not hide the concern from his face.

"Fainted? Is that all? Seriously, Adele does overreact over things," Margot said as she walked away leaving Marco surprised.

At that moment the phone rang and Margot listened. The doctor was at the gate. She would wait and go up with him.

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Marco led Dr. Lapanduza, along with Margot, up the staircase and to the Contessa's bedroom. He hesitated and looked towards Margot who, on cue, turned the knob and walked in.

Margot and the doctor walked towards the bed and Marco lingered behind to make sure that he was not needed.

As Margot reached the bed she was presented with both Adele and Gillian sleeping peacefully in a lover's embrace. Something inside her began to boil. This was not what she had expected to find.

"Adele?" Margot said loud enough to rouse the two sleeping lovers.

Adele automatically tightened her hold on Gillian who began to pull away as she was awakened.

"Margot…you've waken her." Adele tried to control her irritation.

Gillian pulled away slowly out of Adele's embrace and as her eyes began to focus she saw Dr. Lanpandusa looking back at her.

"Doctor?" Gillian asked in confusion.

He was about to speak when Gillian felt as a warm liquid begin to drip from her nose.

"Cara…you're bleeding." Adele said as she reached out for Gillian.

"What?" Gillian brought her hand and stared at the blood in it. When she saw Adele reaching out for her she pushed her away harshly. "Stay away!"

Adele was taken aback from Gillian's reaction.

"I am only trying to…."

"Just stay away from me!" Gillian said aggressively. "Go! I don't want you! What do I have to do to get that through your head? Leave me alone!"

Adele stared at her for a moment; and in that moment both sets of eyes locked. The distance that only a moment before had not existed was solid and in place in Gillian's eyes. They were no longer one.

Adele got up and faced the doctor. "See to my wife. I would like to talk to you later down in the library." She then simply just walked out of the room with Margot close behind her.

The doctor was immediately next to her. "Gillian if you don't listen to me this will happen again and every time after you will be weaker and weaker." He put gloves on and began to clean the blood off her face gently.

"I…I'm so frightened," Gillian said miserably. "I was afraid that she would touch me."

"I know. She didn't." The doctor tried to remained detached and yet how could one not feel for the plight that the beautiful woman in front of him was fighting so valiantly.

"You did the right thing, of course."

Gillian looked up with tear filled eyes. "Even now she wants me."

"I could see that, Mrs. Visconti," He said sadly. "It might be better if you not stay here for a few days you are going to be bleeding like this on and off for the next few days."

"My daughter?" Gillian said close to tears.

"It might be best if you have some distance from her right now as well." He looked away not wanting to see the pain his words were producing to the woman in front of him.

"What will you say to her?"

"I will simply tell her that you are just under stress."

Gillian looked down at her hands. "Just touching her I might have infected her, wouldn't I doctor?" Her eyes begged for him to disprove her words.

"Yes, Gillian, it might." He answered her without looking away.

Gillian looked away as tears ran down her face freely. "Just for a moment when I was in her arms I …."

"You what, Gillian?" He inquired tenderly.

"I thought that this was just a horrible dream. I don't want this for her. I…" Gillian covered her eyes as she wept.

"All I can do is try to make you as comfortable as I can, Gillian, in hope that some type of treatment is found. I know how hard this is for you. I know how hard the next few weeks will be." He saw her eyes turn to him.

"You scheduled it, didn't you?" She asked, knowing too well what the answer would be. c

"One week from today and in view of this it is appropriate."

She stared at him unable to speak as she felt a pain in her chest spread within her.

"It is the right thing, Gillian. This child would only know pain and death. In the four years since its discovery, this AIDS Virus has killed thousands and we still don't completely understand how it works. There are hundreds of babies in the city alone that have been born with AIDS and who are living without any hope for a future. You are doing the right thing, my dear." As he said this he covered her and squeezed it.

Her eyes filled with tears yet again as her head nodded. "I know….it hurts so much to know that this baby is inside me and it will never have a chance to ….she will never know this child…it was going to be a surprise…."Gillian trailed off and smiled sadly. "We both wanted another baby so much."

"I'm sorry, my dear. I'm so very sorry."

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Adele went into the library and straight for the decanters near the window. She poured herself a full tumbler of scotch. As she raised the glass to her mouth she suddenly threw it across the room.

"Fuck!" Adele roared as the glass was mashed into a million pieces. "Fuck!" She yelled again in frustration.

Margot who had been following close behind froze by the door.

Adele turned towards her aggressively.

"What are you looking at?"

Margot said nothing as Adele started at her enraged.

"Arg…" Adele turned around and with one clean swipe cleared the server of all the decanters. She didn't mover for a moment as she leaned with her palms supporting herself on the table.

Marco suddenly appeared next to Margot.

"Is everything alright…" he stopped himself as he took in the scene before him.

Margot turned to him. "Everything is fine, please arrange for this room to be cleaned up."

He only hesitated for a moment and when Adele said nothing he left to make sure that task was done.

Margot walked slowly towards her sister and when she stood a mere few inches away she waited for a moment before her Hand touched her shoulder tentatively. Adele jerked her shoulder to shrug her away. Margot waited a moment and tried again. This time Adele turned into her embrace. Margo held her tightly as Adele's sobbing racked her body while she clung to Margot in desperation.

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Dr. Lanpanduza was led into one of the many receiving room of the house. When he walked in Margot immediately got up from the settee she was sitting on to receive him.

"Hello, Doctor, please come in and sit down."

Adele remained by a nearby window staring out.

"How is Mrs. Visconti?" Margot asked as she gestured for him to sit.

"Thank you," he said as he sat down. "She seems to be under a great deal of stress…" he trailed off as Adele turned to face him and crossed her arms. Her eyes seemed to be made of cold black granite.

Dr Lanpanduza waited silently for the woman in front of him to speak. As he waited he began to take in the obvious signs of stress already evident in Adele herself.

"Please continue," Adele finally said

"She needs rest; perhaps a holiday."

"A holiday…" Adele said as she turned around and walked back towards the place she was standing before. Suddenly her shoulders seemed to droop and she looked weary. Her right hand ran her fingers through her hair and the doctor notices the way it was shaking. She seemed tired and defeated when she turned directly towards them again.

"Thank you, doctor; Margot will see you out." She left them alone as she went up the staircase.

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Adele walked up the staircase slowly. Every step took more and more out of her. She walked into the bedroom that she had left Gillian in without knocking.

Gillian looked up then quickly looked away. She didn't trust herself with Adele; her emotions were too raw.

"The doctor tells me that you are reacting to stress," Adele said looking at Gillian who said nothing in return.

Adele walked closer to Gillian and sat down in a nearby chair. "The doctor suggests a holiday…" Adele said awaiting a comment.

"I called Candice. She will be coming for me. Will you keep Catty for a few days?" Gillian never raised her eyes.

Adele got up slowly a minute later. "Our daughter will never need permission to stay at her home. You can return to her when you like," she said curtly as she walked out of the room.

Gillian looked up to see her walk out and close the door behind her. Never could she have imagined Adele's desire even now for reconciliation. Gillian cried all the harder. Her once upon a time indomitable lover was willing and obviously desired her back under any circumstances. Adele had humbled herself over and over again. Her pride that was so much a part of her had left her. The thought of her once proud Contessa reduced to tears asking her to stay was breaking her heart.

"Dell," she said softly as tears ran down her face. "I'm sorry, darling. I'm so very sorry. I'm doing this for you, Dell. This is for you, my love. I don't want this for you."

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"Mother, I'm not sure yet," Margot said in exasperation.

"Is she gone for good?"

"I don't know. Be patient, mother. This will end I promise you that," Margot said with conviction.

"And Adele..."

"This is for the best." Margot replied. "We must think of Carlo, mother. It is only right that he take Franco's place. He is your only legitimate grandchild."

Once reminded of her beloved dead son, her mother had responded as she expected she would.

"You are right, of course. Adele is obsessed with that woman. Carlo is the only legitimate heir."

"Goodby,e mother; I'll call you soon." Margot hung up and smiled.

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"Are you feeling better?" Candice asked a she sat on the side of the bed as Gillian sat up.

"Much better. How long have I been sleeping?" Gillian tried sitting up further.

"Twelve hours."

"That long?" Gillian asked surprised.

"You were pretty wiped out, honey."

Gillian then suddenly looked incredibly sad as she looked into Candice's eyes.

Candice placed her hand on hers.

"What is it, Gilly?"

"Next week…" Gillian said all choked up.

"What, honey?" What next week." Candice urged her to answer gently.

"My baby, my baby will be gone…" Gillian broke into tears as Candice took her in her arms.

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"Hey, kiddo." Carlo greeted his little sister.

When Catty saw him she ran into her big brother's arms. He lifted her up in the air and she broke out in giggles.

"Hello, Carlo," said the nanny as she walked up to them.

"Hello. I'll stay with her."

"Very well, sir."

The young woman walked back into the house to prepare them something to eat when they finished playing. It was evident to everyone that Carlo adored his little sister.

How is the most beautiful princess in the whole wide world?"

"Okay." She answered as she giggled and gifted him with the brightest smile he had ever seen. From the moment his mother placed her into his arms had taken a hold of his heart when her small little hand wrapped itself around his finger.

They played in the garden for over an hour unaware that Adele looked at them from her bedroom window.

Carlo sat down and leaned back against a large tree trunk and his sister sat on his lap and leaned her head against his chest. He hugged her closer to him and kissed her on the top of her head.

Adele looked at her children and again asked herself for the millionth time what had gone wrong. She walked over to the bed the Gillian and she had shared if only for a few hours the day before. Her arms ached for the woman that they held. Her hand gently caressed the pillow. Adele then lay down and put her face on the pillow and wept. "Gillian…" and again her mind was filled with memories that would always keep her a prisoner.

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"Why are you being so stubborn?" Gillian asked in exasperation.

"This is who I am, Gillian." Adele tried walking away. She felt Gillian's hand on her arm holding her in place and she turned towards her.

"Not anymore, I'm in your life now. Some things we have to decide together. This will affect Carlo and our baby." Gillian then went into her arms.

Adele was left speechless, her arms then went around Gillian and at that moment their daughter chose to kick; Adele smiled and something inside her just let go.

"I'm sorry…be patient with me, car," Adele said softly as she kissed her lover on the temple. "I am too…"

Gillian pulled away just a little and smiled at her lover.

"I'm too arrogant and too proud," Adele said softly. She then looked down and caressed Gillian's belly.

"I know. I don't want to change you. I just want to be a real part of your life." Gillian caressed her cheek and kissed Adele's lips lightly.

"I love you, cara mia. You must know that; nothing will ever change that." Adele assured her passionately.

Gillian's hands went up on either side of Adele's face. "I know that, darling."

"I'm difficult, yes?"

"Yes, but you are worth it." Gillian leaned closer as Adele pulled her into an ardent kiss. At that moment Adele pulled away and they both laughed as their daughter had once again let her presence be known.

"Your daughter, darling, wants attention." Gillian laughed as she caressed her belly.

"Stubborn." Adele smiled at her lover.

"Just like her beautiful mother."

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"Margot, I want to see you."

"Yes, darling, you have been so good. I will be there tonight." Margot purred into the phone.

"You will come, won't you, Margot? I need to see you…"

"I am going to be with you all night."

"I don't know if I can spend all night…." He hesitated.

"Then go to that mousy wife of yours!" Margot spat at him.

"No, dearest, nothing matters, the only thing that matters is our being together." He cajoled her.

"Remember that. You know how much you like what I do for you; and the things that I will do for you." Margot laughed. "You haven't changed your mind, have you? Do you want me, don't you?"

"Yes, come tonight. No, I haven't changed my mind. I will do whatever you want just come." He begged.

"Till tonight then."

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"This is 1990! You're telling me that there is nothing that can be done?" Candice asked in desperation. "Don't they have experimental drugs? Anything is better than what she is going through." She sat down deflated.

"I understand how you feel, Ms Wentz. Time will find a cure for this disease. Unfortunately, time is what we don't have," said Dr. Lanpanduza patiently as he sat across from Candice.

"I don't know how she does it," Candice said sadly with her head bowed. "Everything that she loves… and yes, I know she loves Adele Visconti."

The doctor said nothing as she looked up angrily.

"She doesn't know I'm here. Look, I don't know about all this. Adele would make this so much more bearable for her. I… love her. I can't stand to see her like this," Candice said desperately.

"I know that you love Gillian but, this is what Gillian wants. Has it occurred to you that having Adele close to her might create even more stress for her? She would be worrying about so much more." The doctor tried to reason with her.

Candice said nothing. Gillian seemed to be getting worse and at this point she was willing to do anything, even bring Adele to her.

"In maybe five, ten years…time is what we need. I can only try to keep her alive…if she has this child we may loose her. And what kind of life can an infant with AIDS have? Most babies last a few months. Maybe a year and the death is ugly, Ms Wentz. Is that what you want for her is she even survives the birth?

Candice said nothing as she got up. "Thank you for seeing me. I love her."

The doctor looked at her sympathetically. "I can see that you do. Make sure she is there, please."

Candice nodded and walked out broken hearted.

Continued...