Chapter 7

With every mile that brought them closer to the house, Nikki became more and more tense. Helen could feel the tension in Nikki's fingers, which were entwined in her own. When they finally pulled up to the house Nikki took a deep breath, as did Helen. Donahue opened the door and assisted the ladies out of the car. Robert was waiting on the front porch and waved to the ladies as they walked towards the steps. "Here goes nothing," Nikki said, smiling towards Robert and holding on to Helen's hand tightly.

The remainder of the day went along without incident, even Nikki's father seemed to be warming to the idea of having her around. Nikki had time to spend getting to know her niece and nephews. Helen was overjoyed to see Nikki so relaxed and happy, such a change from the brooding person she had come to know behind the walls of Larkhall. If it were possible Helen felt she was falling even deeper for Nikki than she already had. Every chance Nikki had she would visually check on Helen, always to find her engaged in conversation with one of the Admiral's colleagues or laughing with Rebecca.

Of course the day wasn't without its sad moments and Helen was there for those too. Nikki had taken her on a tour of the house and the subsequent walk down memory lane. Some memories were good, some were not but all showed how much Nikki had missed her mother and the time she had lost after her father had kicked her out of the house. Helen asked questions about pictures, where had they been taken and when. Nikki answered as best as her memory would allow, surprised to see anything with her in them still adorning the walls. Nikki had often felt that, especially after the trial, her father would have banished her completely from his thoughts but it appeared her mother still wanted her there. That made Nikki hate her father even more for not allowing her to see her mother again and for not sending word that she had become ill. When moments of anger filled Nikki's head and heart, Helen was there to calm her, soothe her and remind her of all the good memories.

At one point in the early evening Nikki started, becoming aware of the time. She turned to Helen inquisitively asking, "How much more time do I have?"

"As much as you need." Helen reassured with a squeeze of Nikki's hand.

In Nikki's mind she knew that Helen was there as her keeper, to make sure Nikki didn't make a break for it, to secure her job and take her prisoner back to Larkhall as expected. In Nikki's heart she was starting to feel that Helen was there for her. It was meant for Helen to be the one here with her to help her through this difficult time as well as to give them the chance to see each other in a setting that was more real than the life Larkhall had to offer them. Nikki always felt that being in Larkhall was a bad dream only recently made better by the introduction of Helen into her life and now that realization was never more clear. Nikki already knew how she felt about Helen and with each passing minute in the real world she was starting to think Helen may actually feel the same.

The interactions between Helen and Nikki throughout the day had come to solidify Nikki's thoughts about what Helen felt for her. There were several times where they had stolen moments away from the crowd and found a quite place to hold each other, kiss and offer reassurances to one another about what lay ahead for them. Helen was sure of one thing, she was in love with Nikki; she could no longer deny it. Helen chuckled to herself when she thought about going home and telling Claire the news.

The evening passed enjoyably given the circumstances for the gathering. Friends and extended family left the residence sporadically and by eight o'clock it was down to Nikki and her brother. Helen was beginning to tire but knew that Nikki desperately needed this time with her bother and her family. Helen sat near the fireplace chatting with Rebecca who had a sleeping Nicola on her lap, the boys had gone off with the Admiral to his wood working shop and Nikki and Robert were in the adjoining parlor sipping brandy and talking about old times. If Helen didn't know they were all there for a funeral it would seem the family was together for a holiday dinner or a Sunday get together. The rightness of how everything felt, how Helen felt being with Nikki's family, startled her.

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The time finally came for Helen and Nikki to say their goodbyes. There were awkward silences as Robert and Nikki shared hugs. A moment of panic crossed Nikki's face when Robert asked for her address so they could write and possibly get together. Helen came to the rescue once again, going in to her purse to retrieve a piece of paper and a pen and giving Robert her address. Nikki explained that she worked a lot and was often out of town but that Helen would always know how to get in touch with her. Nikki knew this was not the time or place to bring up the reality of where she was in her life and it was obvious the Admiral had not let even Robert know what had really happened.

Nikki and Helen said their good-byes at the front door and then made their way towards the car. Nikki turned back briefly to watch Robert walk back inside the house that once used to be her happy home. She squeezed Helen's hand tightly and let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding.