Gun Brooke - Course of Action

Carolyn cupped Annelie's cheek gently and brushed her lower lip with her thumb. "Well said, Annie. I promise to do my best. It's my nature to be protective, but I can try and change the way I do it. I'll try not to shy away from asking for help, your help. You've been there for me so many times."

"And you for me." Feeling it was easier to breathe the air in the bedroom, Annelie settled onto the pillows, closing her eyes. "I love you."

Carolyn's fingers combed lovingly through Annelie's hair, smoothing it before traveling farther down her back. Annelie buried her face into her lover's neck, again inhaling her intoxicating citrus scent. Carolyn tugged at the covers, pulling them up and arranging them in a warm, cozy cocoon.

As sleep finally overtook her, Annelie saw jumbled images of Carolyn playing behind her eyelids. A panther, an eel, a pool, concrete stairs. She half jerked. Then she saw her lover stretched out on the deck of a boat, relaxing in the sun, with the ocean all around, and she smiled.

***

Entering the kitchen, Annelie encircled Carolyn from behind, sliding her hands up under the half-open silk robe to cup her breasts.

"Mmm," Carolyn murmured as Annelie's lips found naked skin where the robe slipped off her shoulder. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, eventually. I missed you when I woke up, though. I should've realized the thought of coffee had enticed you to the kitchen."

"I promised the doctor to cut down, especially late in the evening, but my morning cup…" Carolyn shuddered. "Can't do without it. I'd be impossible to live with." She tilted her head back onto Annelie's shoulder, turning to kiss her lover. "I don't want you to kick me out because of caffeine withdrawal."

Trapping Carolyn against the kitchen counter, Annelie claimed her lips again, deepening the kiss. "There's no way I'd let you go, darling," she whispered, only a breath away from Carolyn's mouth. "With or without caffeine."

"Good morning," a sleepy voice said from the doorway. "Oh, sorry, ladies…" Helen stood holding onto the door frame. "Didn't mean to interrupt."

"You didn't." Carolyn smiled, her arms still around Annelie. "As a matter of fact, you're just in time for coffee."

"Did someone say coffee?" a second voice asked. Jem walked up behind Helen, her short, dark hair standing up in all directions. Patting Helen on her shoulder, she gave her a sleepy smile. "How are you doing this morning?"

"I'm feeling much better. My scalp is sore, but no headache. I took some painkillers last night, and they knocked me right out. I had the weirdest dreams."

Jem shot Annelie a grin. Putting her arm around Helen's shoulder, she guided her toward the kitchen table. "Oh, really? Do tell."

"I can hardly remember, but everything was swaying, and I believe you guys were there."

"Well, that makes sense, because we were there. Annelie and I found you standing in the hallway." Jem shrugged. "We couldn't very well leave you there, so I helped you into bed and tucked you in."

Helen blushed, covering her eyes with a hand. "Oh, no. I have been known to sleepwalk, but it was a long time ago. I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?" Jem asked merrily. "You were downright beautiful, if a little spooky, dressed in white silk in the middle of the night. So, anyone want pancakes or waffles?"

Helen looked dazed at the quick change of subject.

"Waffles!" Annelie exclaimed, rubbing her chin against Carolyn's hair. "You're such a whiz in the kitchen, Jem. I think I'm going to hire you."

"You already did." Jem grinned. "So, bring out the waffle iron."

Restricted to the dining room, Carolyn sat down next to Helen as the aroma of Jem's cooking filtered from the kitchen. Handing her a mug of coffee, she sighed in contentment and leaned back in her chair. "This is my idea of a perfect Saturday morning."

"Feeling less stressed?" Helen sipped her hot drink.

"Yes, a lot. Annelie and I talked for hours while we were trying to relax last night, and something she said stuck in my mind." Carolyn tucked her disheveled hair behind her ears. "I possess a certain arrogance."

"She said that?" Helen raised an eyebrow.

"No, no. But she made me realize that I don't share my weaknesses. I have to be strong and able, all the time. Or at least I think I do. Annelie wants me to share everything, warts and all."

Helen nodded thoughtfully, turning her head to look at the two women busily making breakfast. "First of all, I think you struck gold, Carolyn, and I don't mean in the monetary sense. She adores you just the way you are. You'd be a fool to let her go."

"Don't worry. I don't have any intention of letting her slip through my fingers. She's stuck with me. You said first of all —what else?"

"I don't see you as arrogant at all. You may interpret your actions and motivations like that, but I see it as being considerate of others. I don't want to sound presumptuous, but I think you're too hard on yourself sometimes."

Carolyn saw the warmth in Helen's eyes and smiled. "Could be."

Jem approached them with hot plates and utensils. "Won't be long now. What are your plans for the weekend, ladies?"

"You know we had plans for a little get-together, but since I'm under orders to rest, I'll just relax, study the script, and swim every day, of course." Carolyn helped her set the table. "What about you, Helen?"

"I'm going to my temporary home later and kick back, watch TV, and like you, reread the script. It's a nice day outside, so I think I'll walk home. It's only six blocks or so."

Jem exchanged glances with Annelie. "Helen, if you like, I can walk you part of the way, since I'm going grocery shopping for tonight. Marco's is on the way, I believe."

"That's very nice of you, Jem." Helen looked pleasantly surprised. "I'd like some company."

"And remember, in New York six blocks is farther than you think," Annelie cautioned. "Take a cab part of the way if you don't feel well."

"Goodness, you're all like mother hens." Helen gave a mock groan. "I sleep funny once, and all of a sudden you're going all protective on me."

Carolyn patted Helen's hair, exaggerating a worried expression. "It's because we luv ya , babe," she drawled.

Helen broke out into a fit of laughter, taking the others with her. Once they calmed down, the waffles were ready and Jem filled their plates. "Enjoy."

Carolyn let maple syrup run over her waffles. "You sure you need to go home Tuesday, Jem?"

Helen looked up, swallowing her first bite with a dreamy expression on her face. "Oh, Jem, we sure will miss you."

Jem rolled her eyes at the comments. "You only want me for these carnal pleasures," she muttered good-naturedly. Despite the broad grin on Jem's face, Carolyn noticed a vulnerable expression in her eyes.

***

"I want to show you something." Annelie walked into the living room where Carolyn sat on the floor by the fireplace, leaning against an armchair.

"Yes? Come sit by me, then." Carolyn scooted to the side, making room for Annelie.

"I went through some of the letters my mother wrote my father, and when I looked into the package they came in, I found these." Annelie handed over some yellowing clippings.

Carolyn browsed through them with careful fingers. Annelie leaned her cheek against her lover's hair, watching.

"These clippings are of you as an adult." Carolyn turned one of them over. "Look, here's a date on the back of this one. March 12, 1994. Here's another one. April 28, 1999. Did they belong to your father?"

"I think so. This explains how Trevor White knew who I was. The thing is, they also raise a whole new set of questions. Why did White delay until now to try and get money from me? Why did my father keep clippings of me? If he took such an interest—I mean there are at least fifteen clippings—why didn't he try to contact me?" Annelie swallowed. "I'm getting upset again, and I promised myself I wouldn't." Tears ran down her cheeks.