An Affair of Love

Part Six (Conclusion)

Elena stood surprised; both women searched the other's face for some kind of sign. In the end both realized that there was nothing but a past between them.

"May I come in?" Abigail asked softly.

"Yes, please." Elena stepped to the side and let Abigail in.

Abigail walked into the small but cozy living room slowly. She saw the photographs of a lifetime on the walls and the coffee table.

Elena watched as Arthur's wife inspected the photographs that comprised her life.

Abigail stopped in front of a photograph of a young Gabriella on top of a pony. The sun had caught the little girl in such a way that her blue eyes seemed just like those of her father. Abigail picked up the photo and smiled sadly.

"Arthur loved horses…" Abigail could not keep the sadness from her voice.

"Yes…"

Abigail closed her eyes at those words as she turned to look at the woman that had always been there between her and the man that she had loved.

"Won't you sit down?" Elena said as she pointed to the nearby sofa.

"Yes, thank you." She then put down Gabriella's photograph, walked over to the sofa and sat down.

"Can I offer you something to drink?"

"No, no thank you," Abigail said as she looked down at the floor and Elena sat down in an armchair in front of her. "He never stopped loving you," Abigail said as her eyes came up to meet Elena's surprised ones. "Even in the end. His last words were for you." Tears ran down Abigail's face as she saw the pain register itself on Elena's face.

"I…" Elena looked away. She didn't want to know. What good would it do?

"He woke up clutching his chest with your name on his lips."

Elena turned towards the woman in front of her now and shared her pain.

"He died saying your name…"

"I'm sorry…" was all that Elena managed to say.

Abigail then got up and walked up to the bow window and stared out onto the street. "I'm here because this has to end."

"I don't understand," Elena said in confusion.

"I think you do. I don't want this for my daughter. And I don't think you want this for yours," Abigail said bluntly and turned to face Elena. As soon as she saw Elena's face she knew that she had been right.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Elena said, trying to hide her growing nervousness.

"Blayne is an exceptional woman. She is one of those people that are good and fine. And she is slowly dying of love. I have stood by all these months….I won't any longer."

"I don't understand!" Elena said in agitation.

"Don't you?" Abigail faced her as well. "I found them together. Is that blunt enough for you?"

"I don't want to hear this." Elena got up quickly. "Please leave my house."

"I know this is difficult. I have been trying to forget it and just ignore it but, the reality is that my daughter is in a great deal of pain and I know that yours must be too." Abigail appealed to the woman in front of her whose semblance looked stern and unyielding.

"Gabriella is just fine. I'm sorry," Elena said as she was walking towards the front door to let Abigail out.

"I don't want my daughter to be a homosexual." The words stopped Elena and made her turn around. Her eyes saddened as she saw her own pain mirrored in Abigail's eyes. "I don't want that kind of life for her."

Elena remained quite as her eyes looked away.

"Blayne has always been a tower of strength. She is strong and proud, she's all those clichés that used to apply in my day. My daughter is the best of us all. Even Arthur couldn't change that."

Elena stared at her in confusion now.

Abigail took a deep breath. "He loved the children in his own way. He wanted to shape them in his vision; Chaz simply rebelled coming up short all the time and decided to do nothing with his life. Diana is pretty much the same, she wonders aimlessly and doesn't even try. Blayne was the one that excelled in everything and had all his attention. He doted on her and she adored him. Blayne was everything he wanted except for one thing."

Elena waited patiently. It saddened her that Arthur was indeed a man that had not deserved to be loved by so many.

"Blayne would not marry. She couldn't seem to find someone and give him the grandchildren he wanted to leave his legacy to. They would argue endlessly but she would never give in. And of course a part of him was proud that she was so strong." Abigail finished sadly.

"He was generous with Elle and Christopher," Elena said simply as she sat down again.

"Arthur never changed his will," Abigail said bluntly.

Elena looked up at her in confusion.

"Not even at the end did he stop being the selfish egocentric man that he was. I loved him but that is the truth."

"But, the trust funds for Elle and Christopher…."

"I was there when they read the will. The trust funds if they came from anyone it is Blayne. He left her control of everything." Abigail sat down as well looking suddenly weary. "Blayne is drinking which is not like her. My daughter carries this incredible sadness that is really frightening me." Abigail looked up at Elena will tear filled eyes.

Elena looked away. She didn't want to hear this; and a part of her resented her daughter for this manifestation.

"If anything happens to her Gabriella will never know another day's peace."

"Is that a threat!" Elena said angrily as she turned towards Abigail.

"No…" Abigail continued sadly. "I saw them…I saw as they reached out to one another. I should have seen it for what it was right from the beginning. They have this understanding between them. I know that Arthur found out and demanded that Blayne stay away. That has also hurt her so much. She lost her father and lost the only person she will ever love the same day." Abigail looked up as tears rolled down her face.

"In time…it may pass you don't know that it won't…" Elena began to say.

"If anything happens to Blayne, Gabriella will never forgive herself. I saw them together…that is how I know."

Elena got up and wrapped her arms around herself; she wasn't sure what to do or what to think. Would her Leila truly feel that way? Could she see beyond her prejudices and accept this? She just wasn't sure she could.

"At Christmas my daughter was barely the woman I knew. At that time she was at least in the world of the living. It's the first Christmas Eve she was not there for. Her brother actually waited for her. He came up to my room that night… I have never seen Chaz worry about her. That night he was. Blayne has always been there anchor…" Abigail gasped for air as the tears began to overwhelm her again. "She has since then avoided us all."

Abigail sat down and took out a handkerchief from her purse and began wiping her tears. "Two months ago she just stopped going into the office and flew to her house in Cape Cod. That was two months ago. I was angry, we are all so angry….angry and confused. I have this premonition and I went to see her a few days ago. What I found has brought me here to you…" Abigail began to cry in earnest and her body began to shake.

Elena immediately went to her and sat down next to her.

"I found a stranger. Thin and gaunt, I don't think she even knew I was there. She just stares out into the ocean. I'm frightened."

Elena got up. "I'm sorry."

Abigail then got up too disappointed that she had not been able to touch Elena's heart. "Arthur's legacy has been one of pain and sorrow. We don't have to let it continue." Abigail pleaded.

Elena walked towards the door and this time Abigail followed. Before she was completely out of the house she handed Elena a card.

"We can still change things. I think you love your Gabriella very much. Is she happy? Look at her; really look at her and then call me. It's to late for you and me not for them. They can still have their happiness."

Elena took the card and stood at her door until the limousine disappeared around the corner.

Gabriella stared at the piece of marble in front of her and just could not concentrate. The peace that she received from her work had slowly but surely been less present each and every day. She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cool stone, and as always visions of a beautiful face flooded her mind.

"Blayne…" she said softly. "Where are you? I feel you so close today. Are you thinking of me? Blayne…" her eyes remained closed as tears rolled down her face.

Elle had been standing by the door with her grandmother and heard her mother's words. They all thought she was just a kid; but a lot of things made sense to her now. She saw the tears run down her mother's face. She walked up to her and as Gabriella looked up her daughter she took her into her arms. Gabriella wrapped her arms around her child's body and wept.

"Don't cry mommy. Don't cry, it's going to be okay." Elle softly caressing her mother's hair trying to comfort her; Elena stood quietly by the doorframe. Gabriella had not noticed them until Elle went up to her.

"I know baby. Mommy is just a little sad today. I'm fine, don't you worry okay?" Gabriella said as she held onto her child. Her children made it bearable. Her need for Blayne seemed to be encompassing every aspect of her life to the point that she felt as if she could hardly breathe.

"Abuela is here," Elle said, looking towards her grandmother.

Gabriella quickly wiped her face clean before turning towards her mother. "Hola Mama." She smiled as she got up and went to kiss her mother on the cheek. "Can you stay for lunch?"

"That would be nice."

"Thank you for coming, Blayne," Neil said as he walked up to her. "She just refused to speak to anyone else but you."

Neil Tedesco was one of her most competent VP's and he had called her and had continued to call her until she finally agreed to come.

"Yes, apparently," Blayne said cynically as she walked around the desk and sat. "What is the problem?"

"Everything went smoothly until it came time to sign the contracts. She insists on meeting with you first. Nothing would deter her. I'm sorry, Blayne; I know you didn't want to be disturbed but there was no other way. I've tried everything." Neil finished in exasperation.

She waived her hand as if suddenly tired of the whole thing. "Fine, when will she be here?"

"She is here now. Do you want me to bring her here or would you rather we meet at the boardroom?"

"Here…bring her here, Neil." Blayne leaned back into the chair and closed her eyes.

Neil seemed unsure and did not move. Blayne he could tell had lost some weight and seemed rather pale. What had happened to the once energetic and powerful presence he knew as Blayne Anberville? One day almost six-month before she had just not shown up. Seeing her now he realized that something was very wrong. The woman now in front of him seemed frail and vulnerable. The vitality that she always exuded was just not present in her.

When Blayne finally noticed that he had not moved from where he stood she opened her eyes and stared at him. "Well? Go get her. I don't have all day, Neil."

He seemed to spring into action at that moment and left her. She was irritable she knew that. She didn't want to be there. Responsibility, accountability, respectability…were words that made up who she was for so long. Blayne wasn't sure why she had come. The company could almost run itself she knew that. Besides, she had…they all had enough money to live many lifetimes over. What did it matter if one deal was lost or two or three? She just didn't care anymore. All she wanted was to be alone with her memories and her disgust of what she had become, of what she had allowed herself to become.

That morning when Neil had called had been harsher than the ones before. There seemed to be so many…so many mornings, nights, and days now; and as the specter of them spread before her the ocean had become too inviting. It had frightened her somehow. It wasn't so much that she feared dying or the thought that finally her need and loneliness would end but the thought that she had actually wanted it so badly that had shaken her. Neil's call was like a horn calling her into shore…throwing her a lifeline back to shore if she only wanted to reach out and take it.

Now as she sat in her old chair she looked around all the things that once had meant the world to her. Her triumphs were all framed on the walls around her. And just as her head dropped forward at the sadness that suddenly filled her soul the door opened before her.

Blayne had not heard the door open or close. She raised her head with her eyes closed and leaned it back again. This had been a mistake she told herself. When the meeting was over she would go back to the Cape. It had finally all sunk in…her past, even it s bits and pieces were unbearable to her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were ill." A soft voice brought her head forward and her eyes opened quickly.

Blayne stared at the woman in front of her in cold disdain. "Please sit down." Her lips turned up into a smile politely but the message her eyes were conveying was harshly cruel.

"Truly, Blayne. I'm sorry."

Blayne nodded and waited. When Tara said nothing she got up and walked towards the large picture window and stared out onto the city of Boston. "How high up we are. From up here the world seems so small."

Tara watched her in fascination. "Why have you been avoiding this meeting?"

Blayne smiled sadly still looking out and spoke softly. "I wasn't avoiding you, Tara. I don't want to be here."

Tara stood up and walked towards her. "This whole deal was put together because of you."

"I know." Blayne acknowledged.

"Pretty cocky, aren't you?" Tara said playfully.

"No, just tired of playing games." Blayne then turned to her.

They both looked at one another without saying a word.

"I don't want to play, Tara. I told you that night at the club in Quincy." Blayne broke eye contact first as she ran her fingers through her hair. "This is a good deal. If you want it sign the contracts. If you don't, don't."

"Is she so deep inside you that you have stopped walking with the living? Tara said venomously. "Jesus, look at you. You look like shit!"

Blayne remained silent.

"My god… you love her that much?" Tara asked incredulously.

"Ms Montgomery, my personal life is neither here nor there. As I recall you and I shared a dance and a kiss in a dark club in Quincy and that is all," Blayne said irately. "Having said that, will you sign these contracts or not?"

"I want you. I want to get to know you." Tara suddenly said softly. "I would like you to get to know me. I would not hurt you."

Blayne looked away as Tara's eyes began to fill with tears. "You are quite right, Ms. Montgomery. I barely know you and you barely know me. I am not worth knowing, Ms Montgomery, I assure you."

"I know more than you can imagine. I just got to your life late." Tara took a step closer. "I fell in love with you the moment I saw you at the Copley."

Blayne smiled suddenly and laughed. "What are you talking about? We didn't meet at the Copley, Ms Montgomery, you have one of the protagonist in this imaginary love affair mistaken for someone else."

"I had come to Boston to meet with you. I was staying at the Copley. When there you were…Blayne Anberville…bigger than life standing next to me in the elevator. I recognized you from a photograph I once saw of you in Fortune. I wanted you right then. I was actually going to speak to you in the elevator when I saw a tear roll down your face."

Blayne's eyes searched her face and saw the truth of her words. She remembered as well.

"That's the moment it happened. As you walked out of the elevator I felt the loss of you and I knew. I'm in love with you, Blayne. No games, this is my truth." Tara finished as tears ran down her face. "I know you can love me…I know that I can make you happy. I would at least ask for a chance to try."

"Tara…" Blayne looked down not finding the words.

"I can make you forget her," Tara said miserably.

Blayne looked up sadly. "No one can take her place. She is in all I am. I'm sorry." Blayne began to walk away.

"Please give me a chance." Tara grabbed her arm and turned her around. "Just one chance."

"Goodbye Tara." Blayne walked out leaving her standing in the middle of the office.

As soon as Blayne walked out of the office Neil walked in not sure what he would be met with.

"Ms Montgomery?" He said tentatively as he approached her. "Is everything all right?"

Tara wiped her face and turned around with a bright smile. "Yes, all is fine, Mr. Tedesco. Where are those contracts?"

"Here they are, Ms Montgomery." Neil suddenly smiled and walked up to the desk and handed her a pen to sign the papers.

"Thank you." Tara smiled sweetly.

Tara signed all four copies and then stood straight. "Well, it seems that our business is concluded then."

"Thank you. I will have copies sent to your attorneys." Neil shook her hand and smiled to himself as he saw her walking away.

As soon as Tara Montgomery turned away from him her smile faded and sadness once again filled her eyes. Every step she took was a painful one. She knew that each and everyone step was further and further from love. "I was late, my love. I was late."

Gabriella walked up to Joseph and stood next to him silently. They both looked out onto the garden; both silent both waiting.

"Joseph…" Gabriella began to say after a few minutes.

"I know," He said as his head leaned down.

"I'm sorry."

He nodded.

"The kids…"

"The kids are going to be fine." He straightened up staring out into the garden again. "They are like you. They are strong."

"I wanted it to be forever," Gabriella said as the tears ran down her face.

"I know." They both stood silently next to one another. "Are you going to her?"

"No."

Joseph turned towards her then in surprise.

"There is just too large of an ocean between us. Mama…" Gabriella trailed off as she looked down.

"Elena knows?"

"I told her."

"We could try, Gabriella," Joseph said hopefully.

"I can't do this anymore, Joseph. I'm sorry. I know I'm hurting you."

"I'll move out tonight," hr said as he left her standing on the deck.

Gabriella just let the tears fall. A part of her life was over.

Diana had been home for a few weeks and had managed to keep her mother occupied and busy. She had tried getting in touch with Blayne but her calls were never taken.

"Mother, Jack called and he has an extra ticket to the symphony. Why not come with us?"

"No dear, you go. I'm just going to retire early."

"Mother…I'm worried about you," Diana said tenderly as she walked up to Abigail.

"I'm concerned about your sister. I went to see her a few days ago. She looks awful. She's just wasting away and I can't stop it."

"Mother…"

The ringing of the telephone interrupted their conversation. Abigail picked up the receiver.

"Hello.

Her face showed surprise as she listened and surprise gradually turned into a smile.

"Leila."

Gabriella turned slowly then smiled as she walked up to her mother. "Mama, I didn't know you were here."

"I came to speak to my grandchildren."

Gabriella looked at her curiously.

"I specially spoke with Elle. She is a very incredible young woman."

Gabriella smiled. "She is growing up so fast, Mama. Sometimes I wish I could keep her my little girl forever."

"I know. But, if you love them Leila, you must let them go."

Gabriella now searched her mother's face. Elena took her daughter's hand and walked her to the small sofa on the side of the studio that faced the garden. When they were both seated Elena took her daughters hands into her own and held them.

"Parents want only the best for their children."

"Yes Mama."

"Sometimes, our best wishes aren't what they want for themselves." Elena looked deeply into her child's eyes. "I have always wanted so much for you."

Gabriella smiled.

"When you were born and they put you in my arms I believed in miracles again Leila. From that moment on I promised myself that you would have all the things that I…." Elena looked down then up again and continued. "I wanted you to love and be loved in return. I wanted you to know the joy of a family and children."

"Mama…" Gabriella's eyes were beginning to fill with tears. "I promised you that I wouldn't…"

"You promised me that you wouldn't go to her." Elena voiced the unspoken words that had been a barrier between them for so long.

Gabriella remained silent looking down at her hands being held by her mother's.

Elena smiled as her own eyes filled with tears. "You are more than I deserve. You have always made me so proud Leila." Elena released one of her daughter's hands and caressed her child's wet cheek. "You are so beautiful inside and out. You have so much talent. Your father was so proud of you. He would say, 'my beautiful daughter the artist.' with such pride." Elena then took another deep breath. "You are not like him!"

After Elena said the words Gabriella looked up and knew exactly what her mother had meant. Gabriella then released a loud sob as she leaned forward and went into her mother's arms.

"You are my daughter. And you are the daughter of Humberto Sotomayor." Elena wept with her daughter as she continued to speak and hold her tightly. "Your father loved you so much Leila." Elena then pulled away from her daughter. She began to wipe away her child's face lovingly. "We both just wanted you to be happy."

Gabriella's tears continued to fall.

"I think it's time I let you go and do that."

Gabriella stared at her not sure exactly what she was trying to tell her. "I don't understand?"

"You will, my Leila. You will."

It was only the beginning of October but the wind coming in from the Atlantic was cold announcing the weather to come. Blayne stood high on the reef neither caring nor feeling the Arctic chill. The days and nights meant nothing to her anymore. She slept when her body told her to stop and ate when she felt her body fail her, which seemed often of late. She had simply just stopped trying to lie to herself. This is where she wanted it to all stop. On top of the reef she waited. Waited like she had waited so many other times; closing her eyes and dreaming. Dreaming of what would never be. She leaned her head back and smiled. It was becoming so real. She could hear the voices and feel the joy. Blayne was ready to close her eyes and fly into the air and leap into the world that she had created in her dreams; a world where she was happy. A world where she was loved.

"Gabriella…" She said longingly and softly into the wind.

"I'm here, my darling."

"I can't wait anymore." Blayne answered sadly as she took a step closer to the edge. "I want to be with you."

"Turn around and be with me my love." Gabriella stood but a few feet away from Blayne. She suddenly realized the danger and her heart seemed to stop beating. "I'm real, Blayne, and I love you. Please, my darling, I need you so very much. Turn around and come to me."

Blayne swayed unsure as she opened her eyes. She turned slowly and as her eyes filled with the vision before her so did they also fill with unshed tears. "Are you really here? Or are you some nightmare to torment me?"

Gabriella stretched her hand out. "Come to me and let me show you."

Blayne suddenly noticed movement coming from the house and saw as her mother and Elena were helping the children and Diana take suitcases out of the car.

"I'm here if you want me," Gabriella said to her.

Blayne looked back at Gabriella then towards the house again. At that moment both Abigail and Elena looked up towards them and waited.

Blayne then turned to look at Gabriella once more.

"I love you, Blayne Samantha Anberville. I hope you have enough room in this house of yours because it's going to be quite full." Gabriella smiled as tears continued to fall.

"Gabriella?" Blayne suddenly realized that it was not a dream. She closed the distance between them and pulled Gabriella into her arms. "Gabriella…. Gabriella," she kept repeating as she wept and her body shook with the sobbing.

"Forever and always, my darling. Together, forever and always."

The End