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