Part Seven

Adele was over Gillian as they were both undulating in overwhelming passion; Gillian threw her head back as she arched her back. "Dell, now…please."

Adele slid two fingers into her as her mouth claimed a hardened nipple and sucked on it forcefully..

"Ohhh…" Gillian began to pant as she felt the tide of the orgasm getting closer. Adele added a third finger and began to pump harder in syncopated rhythm with her mouth feasting on Gillian's nipple. They were both suddenly panting harder and harder as they both came together almost by agreement.

They lay spent holding each other. A cool breeze came through the opened window.

"I love you,' whispered Adele in her ear.

Gillian buried her face in Adele's neck and kissed it. "I love you, too. Promise to bring me back to this beautiful place on our next anniversary."

"I'm so glad that you like this island, cara, I have always loved coming here." Adele said into her hair. "Gillian…"

"Yes, darling?"

"Happy anniversary. I bought us this house a week ago," Adele said mischievously.

Gillian got up suddenly on one elbow and stared at Adele.

"It's yours, cara. We can come whenever you like,." Adele said as she leaned closer and kissed her lightly on the lips. "No one will know of this place, only you and me."

"No one?" Gillian asked seriously.

"No one, cara mia. No entourage, no outside world, this is just for you and me and our family," said Adele seriously. "I love yo,u Gillian. I am keeping my promise to you. This is our world and our world alone."

Gillian went into Adele's arms. "I love you, Dell, God how I love you."

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Adele woke up slowly. She felt like everything ached. It was like her subconscious fought against her waking and bringing her back from happiness into the pain that now was a constant in her world.

She covered her eyes to keep the light out. Every moment of every day her desolation grew. Gillian's voice, her presence was so needed that Adele knew that time would never truly cure even a portion of her need.

And as life often does her need was answered as the phone beside her bed rang.

"Hello," Adele said softly. Something inside her knew who the caller would be.

"Hello, Dell," said Gillian on the other end.

"Are you feeling better?" Adele asked with genuine concern.

Suddenly they seemed cocooned. The distance served its purpose and they could be more themselves.

"Yes, I am."

"I…" Adele's voice became deep with emotion.

"I need you to understand," Gillian said sadly.

"What do you want me to understand, cara, that you don't love me anymore?" There was no anger in Adele's voice as she said this.

There was an audible intake of breath from Gillian. "Help me, please. You have always been the stronger one," Gillian said as she wept. "Will you, darling. Will you help me?"

There was silence for a moment. Adele found herself unable to reply, when she was about to speak. "Cara…" she stopped when she heard Candice speaking in the background.

"Hi baby, are you feeling better?" Candice said as she walked in and kissed Gillian on the cheek.

"Yes, thank you," Gillian answered and turned back to her phone call. "Dell?"

The phone tone changed and she realized that Adele had hung up. A tear slid down the cheek of each woman on either end of the phone.

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"Contessa, here is your itinerary for the week. I confirmed the ones in red and made arrangements for the benefit on Friday." Gloria Betancourt, Adele's personal assistant, pointed out. "Will you and Mrs. Visconti require any other reservations such as for the salon as you have previously?"

"What is this benefit for again?" Adele finally seemed to pay attention.

"It's for the wing of the children's ward at St. Anthony's Hospital." Gloria was surprised, Adele was always so in tune with her engagements. "You are one of the sponsors of this event and will be handing them a check for one million dollars."

"Yes, of course." Adele looked away suddenly and Gloria waited silently. "Please leave me for about 5 minutes, Gloria. We can resume when I finish this call I have to make."

"Of course, Contessa." Gloria walked out without another word.

Adele picked up the receiver and began to dial.

"Hello?" Gillian's voice rushed inside her as it came through the telephone.

"Gillian…"

"Dell? I wanted to…."

"Gillian." Adele cut her off immediately. "There is a benefit this Friday for the children's ward at St. Anthony's Hospital. The Caravagio Foundation will be giving them a substantial donation. This was something you wanted. I want you with me that night. They will expect us both to attend." Adele delivered the speech very business like. The fact that it was totally without emotion was not lost on Gillian.

"Friday?"

"Yes, is this too short of a notice for you?" Adele began to allow the sarcasm to seep in. "You will have to change your plans, Gillian." Adele left no room for argument.

"All right Dell," Gillian said wearily. "How is Catty?"

"She has been spending time with Carlo."

"Is Carlo home?" The tenderness in Gillian's voice came through.

"He arrived yesterday," Adele said curtly. She wanted to avoid playing these scenes with Gillian that only left her feeling more pain.

"How is he? Did he make the lacrosse team?"

"Why do you care?" Adele was unable to control her anger at this point. "What does it matter to you what my son does?"

"Because he is not only yours, he is mine too and I love him." Gillian's voice was full of emotion. "I want to know about him."

"You have destroyed my home and tried to take my daughter from me. I will not allow you to bewitch my son. Stay away from Carlo, do you hear me!" Adele was yelling at the top of her lungs now. "Damn you to hell!"

"Dell…"

"Enough!" Adele waited as the silence between them grew.

"I don't want him to think that I don't love him, Dell." Gillian insisted. She wanted to at least be able to have limited access to Carlo. They had both gotten very close after the initial clash. Carlo and she had grown to love each other. Gillian never missed a game at his school; she was the one that the school called and she was the one that was there when Adele was off closing some deal.

"Where would he get the idea that you just stop loving people that you profess to love forever?" Adele allowed the venom to pour over every word.

"Dell, don't let this between us touch our children." Gillian tried to appeal to her sensibilities.

"You are the one that has created this, Gillian, not I. Now, when will you be home?" Adele refused to play her game.

"Tomorrow."

"Gloria will be making the usual appointments for the benefit." Adele quickly went back to her business mode. "I will have her copy you. Goodbye, Gillian."

"Goodbye, Dell," Gillian said sadly.

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

"Can I go in with her?" Candice asked Doctor Lapanduza.

"It will be better if you don't."

"She's so upset, doctor. She won't stop crying." Candice's tears ran down her face. "I'm afraid for her."

The doctor was about to say something and seemed stop himself.

"Please, let me be there with her. It will make it easier for her." Candice begged.

"All right, Ms Wentz." He turned and headed towards one of the operating rooms of the private clinic.

Candice went back into the waiting room where Gillian was getting ready for her procedure.

When Candice walked in she found Gillian sitting on a gurney with a hospital gown on. She looked up slowly; her eyes seemed completely desolate.

"I don't know if I can do this," Gillian's voice seemed hollow

"Gilly…" Candice walked up to her and caressed her hair. "I know that this is very hard for you, baby. You have to think of Catty." Candice reminded her.

Gillian then looked up and into Candice's eyes.

"More time with Catty, baby." Candice said sadly. "This baby will be happy in heaven, Gilly. No pain, all it will know is love."

Gillian stared at her as tears rolled down her eyes unchecked. Her body suddenly began to shake as she could no longer control the sobbing. "Why has god done this to me? Why, Candice?" Gillian tried getting up only to have her knees bend with her anguish. Candice suddenly was there holding her up as the cries were ripped from her soul. "Why my baby? Why my baby?"

Candice began to cry too as she held on tightly to Gillian. "I know, Gilly, I know."

At that moment the nurse and the doctor came in and helped her back up onto the gurney.

"No, no, I can't…" Gillian cried in desolation.

"Doctor?" Candice looked pleadingly towards the doctor.

"Gillian, you baby will never know pain, because that's all that it would feel if it were born," the doctor said to her as he leaned closer to her. "You don't want this baby to suffer. And bringing it into this world it would only know that."

Gillian winced and seemed defeated suddenly. She wept silently as they took her to surgery. Candice walked besides her holding on to her hand tightly.

"Stay with me. Candy….please, don't let me go." Gillian sobbed suddenly.

"I will be right next to you. I won't let go. I won't let go I promise."

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The next day came and went and Gillian did not come. Adele was pacing the library like an angry cat. She had been irritable with everyone that she came into contact with that day. She could not control her reactions; being out of control had never been an issue for her. Emotions like anger, disgust and desolation were coming at her from every side and she was not dealing with them as she thought she should. Adele had always felt very much in control of her life; now, she had no control whatsoever over herself and recognizing it only made things harder.

It was Catty's bedtime when the nanny brought her to Adele to say goodnight a few hours later.

"Contessa, Catty came to kiss her mama good night."

Adele opened her arms to her little girl and hugged her tightly to her.

"Where's mommy?" Catty said as she pulled out of her mother's embrace slightly.

"She's delayed, darling," Adele said as she kissed her daughter's forehead.

"I want mommy," Catty began to pout.

"Now, now my principessa none of that," Adele said to her petulant child. "Nanny will read you a story and I will come tuck you in soon."

"When will my mommy come?" Catty would not let the subject go. She was as determined as her dark haired mother if not more. Adele looked down at her daughter and a part of her admired the streak of strength she saw more and more in her daughter's character.

"Your mommy will be home soon my darling. Now, bedtime for you." Adele handed the child over to the nanny and went back to her desk as they left the library.

Adele waited until the door closed to make her phone call.

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

"Hello?" Candice spoke wearily into the receiver.

"I want to speak to Gillian," Adele demanded.

"She is not here, Adele."

"Where is she!"

"Not here," Candice answered in irritation.

"If she doesn't call me within the next hour I am going to go and get her and not even God himself will be able to stop me. Now you tell her to call me!" Adele slammed the phone down.

Candice put the phone down and closed her eyes tightly. "My poor, Gillian."

Candice walked to the nearest chair and sat down. She leaned her head back as her body began to shake with sobbing. Her mind filling with what had transpired earlier that day… Gillian had gotten very pale as she squeezed Candice's hand tighter. At one moment she seemed like she was about to speak before her eyes closed and tears rolled down the side of her face.

Candice heard an intake of Gillian's breath and at that moment she knew that it was over. She looked towards the doctor who nodded his head. Her attention went back to Gillian, her hand tightened and then she began to sob inconsolably. Somehow she had known the very second that her child was taken from her.

"My baby, my baby is gone….oh God, my baby is gone!"

Candice began to weep as she held tightly to Gillian whose cries only seem to worsen. The nurse turned away with tear filled eyes as the doctor began to finalize the procedure.

"God forgive me….please, God forgive me." Gillian cried hysterically.

Candice found no words as she continued to hold her and cry with her.

Candice could not stop the images of the previous hours from flooding her mind as she shut her eyes tightly again. They had to sedate Gillian in the end. And now she would also have to deal with Adele. Candice got up slowly and went into her bedroom. She had come to take a shower and change; Gillian had a terrible night and she had to get back as soon as she could to her. The few times Gillian had woken she would not stop crying. The light that had always been in Gillian's eyes was suddenly gone and it broke Candice's heart to look at her.

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

Candice walked quietly into the private room of the clinic that Gillian was in. The procedure usually was a walk out procedure but Gillian's reaction to it had been so upsetting that they decided to keep her overnight for observation. When Candice was walking down the hallway toward Gillian's room she could not fail to notice the sad looks coming from the nurses on call that had witnessed the desperately sorrowful reaction of the beautiful young woman in the private room of the clinic. Gillian's mournful sobbing for her baby had touched all around her. Candice lowered her head and tried to muster up the strength to be strong in front of Gillian. Gillian was asleep when she came in and Candice sat down and waited for Gillian to wake up. She closed her eyes as she leaned her head back and she fell into a light sleep.

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

In the meantime, Adele kept calling the penthouse with no answer. As the day progressed her anger knew no bounds. She was rude to Gloria and anyone that came into contact with her. Her hold on herself was progressively worsening and she was unable to stop herself.

"Edward, hurry up. The Contessa de Caravagio is on the line and she doesn't sound happy," said the clerk from the front desk.

"Thanks, Jimmy, forward the call to my office," Edward said as he began to walk quickly.

"This is the fifth time she has called within the last two hours," Jimmy said nervously.

"Why didn't you page me, Jimmy?" Edward now sounded irate. "Never mind let me take the call and then you and I have to talk."

Edward closed the door to his office behind him and quickly picked up the phone.

"Contessa…"

"Where is my wife?" Adele demanded.

"Contessa, Mrs Visconti left the penthouse yesterday and she has not returned." Edward answered quickly.

"And her friend?"

"Ms Wentz was here today and left within the hour."

"I want to know as soon as Mrs Visconti returns, do you understand?"

"Yes, Contessa." Edward visibly relaxed as he hung up the telephone. The Contessa was used having her requests seen to quickly. She had bought the building seven years prior and now it was one of the most prestigious addresses in the Upper East Side. Her only request had always been to have the best; all else would fall into place and she had been right. The fact that she sounded angry was certainly not good. He knew that her being unable to reach him for the last two hours was totally unacceptable.

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

Candice slowly opened her eyes and found Gillian staring at her.

"Hi," she said softly as she got up and took Gillian's hand.

Gillian smiled a little as her eyes teared up.

"Would you like to talk to Catty, Gilly?" Candice asked hoping beyond hope that the thought of Catty would help Gillian.

"Yes, please, I…" Gillian was unable to say another word.

"Okay, honey, I'm going to call her right now, okay?"

Candice picked up the phone and made her call.

"I am calling for Mrs….Mrs. Visconti would like to speak to her daughter, can you put her on the phone, please?"

Candice listened and handed the phone over to Gillian.

"Hello. Yes, Tomasina, it's me. Can you put my daughter on the phone for me.?"

Gillian waited a few minutes and the visible change in her face became suddenly obvious as she smiled. "Hello, my sweet baby."

Candice sat down nearby, turning away slightly from Gillian. She wept as she saw Gillian talk to her little girl. Her chest tightened as she realized just how much she loved the women in front of her. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine that she could possibly love Gillian more and at that moment she wished that she could give up her own life so that Gillian might know some happiness again. One day Gillian would be gone and her world would be over. When this nightmare started she had just wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. She never considered the consequences nor did she care what they were. When Gillian had left her life years ago she realized that nothing seemed as real and her emotions had somehow become unnecessary to her. In other words she had not felt much of anything. And now…now she knew that when Gillian died she would die too. She had simply not allowed herself to think that Gillian would die and now…she couldn't imagine living without her. Gillian was again in her life and she suddenly realized that she had just existed all the years with out her. Her love, her Gillian…she had always been so beautiful and so wonderful. Even now as the woman she loved seemed to fade more and more each and everyday so did the world. Her light was going out and she did not want to live in the darkness that would follow her passing. That was Gillian, no wonder Adele was going crazy without her. It seemed an odd thing to think at that moment. Adele, the person who taken what she most loved must be feeling the loss…the loss of Gillian as she too felt it now.

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

Adele walked in as Catty was replacing the telephone receiver.

"What is going on?" Adele asked angrily.

"Contessa…Mrs. Visconti wanted to speak to Catty," the maid said nervously in confusion.

"Mommy, I talk to mommy," Catty said excitedly with a big smile on her face. "She is going to take me for ice cream."

"Of course she is, my principessa. Go with Tomasina and tell nanny to take you to the pond to feed the ducks, okay?"

Catty giggled and Tomasina followed her out.

"Contessa…."

"It's all right; a mother has a right to speak to her child," Adele said distantly as she looked away sadly.

Tomasina quickly went after Catty.

Adele sat down and just stared in front of her. Where was Gillian?

Three hours later Edward called and informed her that Gillian was once again up in the penthouse.

The next morning Gloria let her know that she had spoken with Gillian earlier that morning and had been informed that she would meet them at the fundraiser. Adele said nothing she simply walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

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

"I wish you wouldn't go," Candice argued again. "Gillian, you are just not strong enough yet."

"I need to do this. She's expecting me." Gillian continued to dress as she spoke to Candice.

"You don't have to do this!"

Gillian turned quickly and faced Candice. "Yes, I do. I need to, Candy."

Candice walked away after staring at her for awhile.

Gillian sat down and closed her eyes. She knew that Candice was right. She wasn't strong enough yet but, she also knew that she had to. Perhaps that was the wrong way to put it. If she didn't go Adele would be angry and might even come to confront her. The truth of the matter was she wanted to see Adele. She needed to see her; a part of her needed the solace that only Adele could give her.

Candice loved her and she would try not hurt her any more than she had already. She had reached out to her lifelong friend and had inadvertently touched and rekindled the love in Candice. In retrospect she was sorry she had sought Candice's help. She had been selfish and now she was hurting her friend all over again.

She admitted to herself that she was being selfish too, she was only thinking of herself, she wanted to see Adele, to look at her, to breathe the same air with her, to touch her and from that get some comfort for the pain that now seemed to fill her whole being. Gillian opened her eyes and took a deep breath before she got up slowly. Adele, she needed to see Adele or she would not be able to survive another moment..

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

Gillian's cab pulled up in front of St. Anthony's. She stepped out of the cab and found Gloria suddenly next to her.

"Hello, Mrs. Visconti, the Contessa instructed me to wait for you and lead you to the reception area. She arrived about 30 minutes ago."

"Thank you, Gloria." Gillian smiled a little.

"Are you all right?" Gloria asked as Gillian seemed to lean towards her.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you, Gloria." Gillian tried to reassure her. "Let's go the Contessa, she doesn't like to wait."

"Right this way, Mrs. Visconti."

It seemed that people just stopped talking as Gillian walked in. She looked ethereal in her beauty. Her hair was piled up and exposed her elegant neck and shoulders. The color of the light blue of her dress highlighted her eyes all the more. Adele turned and could not hide the love that seeing Gillian brought itself to her features.

Adele then walked over to her and noticed the delicacy of the woman in front of her. So beautiful, Gillian had always seemed so beautiful but tonight there was something in her features that made Adele just want to hold her and caress her. Instead when she was in front of Gillian her eyes searched the eyes now in front of her and suddenly she experienced a sadness that made her eyes tear suddenly. To hide her embarrassment she simply leaned down and kissed Gillian lightly on the mouth for all to see.

"Hello, darling, we have all been waiting for you." Adele turned towards the group closes to her and started making the introductions. She did not look towards Gillian again until much later. Every time she met Gillian's eyes something inside her hurt more than she could bear.

The dinner went as expected. Speeches were given and the sponsors were thanked accordingly. In the end they asked Gillian to stand up to recognize the generous donation that through her interest and efforts the Caravagio Foundation had given.

Dinner progressed to music and at this time is when Adele and Gillian usually left these types of functions but Adele seemed not interested in ending the evening. She continued the conversation with some of the board members seated at the same table with them. Gillian seemed happy to listen. She was feeling the strain that her body was beginning to fail her. She raised her hand to her temple and closed her eyes for a moment. As her hand came back down to the table it landed softly over Adele's which immediately brought Adele's attention to her.

Adele's eyes seemed to pierce right through her. The music suddenly softened and Adele got up and put her hand out to her. Gillian placed her hand in it and followed her to the dance floor.

All eyes suddenly went to them. It was common knowledge that they were a couple but to see them in an intimate embrace made curiosity come alive. Their bodies seemed to become one and no one could argue the beauty and the love shared by the two women now on the dance floor.

As soon as Adele had stopped in the dance floor and faced Gillian her arms were filled with the softness of her. Gillian melted into her and Adele's eyes closed with an emotion she could not control. Her arms went around Gillian's body and pulled her closer still. Gillian's perfume filled her senses, her lips sensually caressed Gillian's ear as her hands caressed her back. She was so desperate and hungry for her but tonight had seemed all the more important to have Gillian in her arms.

Gillian had not fought the need to be held. She needed the comfort of Adele's embrace She needed the closeness of her body. Her hands went up over Adele's neck and allowed the embrace to deepen. The music filled the air and touched the beauty that they had once shared and this made Gillian feel the desperation that was getting harder and harder to control.

Adele seemed to sense something and pulled her closer still. Gillian sought the security of the embrace she needed and told herself that for this one moment she needed Adele more than life itself. She buried her face in her lover's neck and her lips kissed the skin that enticed them. For one moment she had dared to dream. As she slowly realized the enormity of her action her eyes filled with tears and she pulled away.

Adele did not try to hold her and followed her back to their table. Confusion reigned inside her. Gillian had kissed her. It had been Gillian's lips that had lightly kissed her neck. Adele followed her in a daze unable to process or understand what was happening.

When Gillian reached the table she turned towards Adele whose eyes were searching hers. Then all she knew was that she was in Adele's arms as the world suddenly got dark.

"Someone help me!" Adele yelled as she was trying to hold onto Gillian as she began to fall to the floor.

Immediately they were surrounded by some of the doctors present in the benefit. Gillian was immediately taken to the emergency room with Adele beside her. Adele held her hand and kissed it many times as she whispered words of love to her.

All that mattered at that moment was that something was wrong. She felt deeply inside her that something was very wrong. And not understanding why in her desperation her love went out to Gillian with no reservations.

Gillian opened her eyes slightly and Adele kissed her lips and caressed her face. Gillian seemed to come in and out of consciousness. Once or twice she whispered "Dell…" and the sadness in her voice cut deeply into Adele's heart as she saw tears running out of Gillian's eyes.

The emergency room doctor came in to speak to her. She turned to look at him but never released Gillian's hand.

"What's happened? What is wrong with my wife?"

"She is hemorrhaging. Right now we have to stop that. We are not sure what caused it yet." The doctor answered cautiously.

At that moment Dr. Lanpanduza walked in with Margot not far behind him.

"I will see to everything, Contessa. May I see the chart, doctor? I am the Contessa's family physician."

"Of course, come this way doctor." Dr. Lanpanduza followed the emergency room doctor out.

Margot stayed and saw and listened as Adele again focused her attention on Gillian.

"Amore mio…open your eyes. Per favore cara mia," Adele's voice was filled with her anguish and concern.

"Dell…" Gillian again opened her eyes slightly and Adele's lips kissed her lightly over and over again. "Ti amo cara mia. Ti amo." Adele then took her in her arms and caressed her hair as she kissed her cheek.

Margot walked out of the room and found herself face to face with Dr. Lanpanduza.

"You have to do something. If this continues she will tell her." Margot growled at him unable to control the anger rising in her.

"I never planned on this. But, I know what will end this. I'll be right back." He walked away leaving her stunned.

Margot then walked back into the room. Gillian had obviously passed out again.

"Adele, darling, sit down, give her some room to breathe." Margot could not control the edge in her voice.

Adele stared back at her. "Wait outside, Margot."

Margot acted insulted and walked out of the room.

A few minutes later the doctor came back in and gave Gillian an adrenalin shot which seemed to revive her a little. Adele waited patiently on the other side of the bed still holding Gillian's hand.

The shot seemed to take effect a few minutes later as Gillian began to come back to consciousness.

"Gillian can you see me?" The doctor asked.

"Yes," Gillian answered groggily.

"Let your eyes follow my finger."

Gillian's eyes did as instructed until her eyes met Adele's and they did not move away.

"I have been so worried," Adele's voice said filled with emotion as her eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Don't cry, darling…" Gillian said not realizing how the endearment had just slipped out. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry." She reassured Adele again.

Adele bent her head down and hissed her hand holding it against her lips as her eyes sought out Gillian's.

"Dell…" Gillian's hand caressed Adele's cheek softly.

At that moment Candice walked in and Margot smiled from the corner of the room.

"Gillian, are you alright?" Candice immediately went to Gillian's side and Gillian released Adele's hand.

"I'm just fine." Gillian now looked only towards Candice. In her weakness she had sought comfort from Adele and things would only be worsening now. At that moment she resolved to go forward. She had killed her baby and now she must be cruel to save Adele. No matter how much it cost her she would save Adele.

"What happened?" Candice asked concerned.

"I fainted. I will be fine, honestly." She reassured Candice.

Candice stared at her realizing that there was only so much she could say in front of Adele. She leaned down to kiss Gillian on the cheek and Gillian turned her face and kissed her fully on the lips. "I'm alright, darling." Gillian said looking into Candice's eyes.

Adele stared unable to move as Gillian's lips kissed Candice once more. She then simply walked out of the room and out of the hospital.

Continued...