by
GyrlCandy
Part 4

_____Caroline gasped in shock, she didn't expect Danielle to say she loved her too, her heart skipped a beat and she couldn't believe her good fortune. She tensed in anticipation as Danielle leaned over to kiss her, it wasn't the first time they kissed, but it felt like it. Danielle set her on fire, she didn't recognize the moans as her own. She leaned in and kissed her harder. She was in heaven, this woman meant everything to her. She loved her with all her heart. They both had sex before but for the first time in either of their lives they made love. It was slow and sweet. Danielle worshipped her body and made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Danielle claimed her mind, body, and soul. They both lie there exhausted and satisfied. Caroline drifted off to sleep in Danielle's arms.
_____"I love you she whispered."
_____"I love you too."
_____"You promise? You're not going anywhere?" Caroline asked tentatively.
_____"I promise," Danielle said after a slight hesitation. "I'm not going anywhere," Danielle said, drifting off into a troubled sleep.

_____ Life was wonderful for Caroline, she had the woman she loved with her. Danielle was really the woman she had been waiting for all her life. She didn't know what she would do with out her. She was in her apartment when the phone rang, expecting Danielle to call her a big smile took over her face.
_____"Hello."
_____"Is this Caroline Hill?"
_____"Yes."
_____"This is Nurse Steven's from Mercy Hospital."
_____Caroline's blood went cold, she prayed it wasn't the hospital calling to tell her Cameron died.
_____"You asked me to tell you when Cameron came out of her coma, well I am happy to tell you she's awake and asking for you."
_____"For me?" Caroline said, her heart soaring, she was awake!
_____"Yes, could you get down here fast."
_____"I'll be there in fifteen minutes," Caroline said hanging up the phone and grabbing her jacket.
_____She got to the hospital, and asked the nurse which room was Cameron's, the nurse told her room 236 and she started down the hall. She was thanking God for blessing her, she had the woman she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, and now Cameron was awake. She turned the corner and stopped short when she saw Danielle standing outside Cameron's room talking to the girl she recognized as Cameron's sister, she remembered her because that's the girl that attacked her. She didn't blame her, the girl was hysterical at the time.

_____Danielle was talking to Amani when she saw Amani's eyes widen. "Oh no she didn't." Amani said in fury.
_____'What?" Danielle said in confusion.
_____"That bitch has the nerve to show up here."
_____Danielle felt her heart stop when she turned around and saw Caroline standing there looking at her in confusion.
_____"Danielle, what are you doing here?" Caroline said confused.
_____"I uh...I-"
_____"She came to see her sister." Amani said with glee realizing that Caroline still didn't know...she was going to enjoy this.
_____"Her sister?" Caroline echoed.
_____"Yeah, her sister, the girl you almost killed," Amani said enjoying the look of shock on Caroline's face.
_____Caroline looked from Amani's smug face to Danielle's guilty one.
_____"Cameron is you sister?" Caroline asked in disbelief
_____"Yes," Danielle said.
_____"If she's your sister...then what..." Caroline broke off still confused, her heart was beating so fast...this wasn't happening.
_____"Caroline please, give me a chance to explain." Danielle said desperately.
_____"Yeah, let her explain how the plan was to make you fall in love with her and then leave your ass flat," Amani said.
_____"What?" Caroline said in horror, she felt her heart sinking "You planned this?"
_____"Yeah she planned it, when we saw you in the Gap, you think she was interested in you for real?" She looked at the heart broken look in Caroline's face. "Oh I see you did, that's sweet," Amani said, her voice dripping with menace. She felt kind of bad about what they had done to her, but she almost killed their sister, she deserved it.
_____"Caroline...I'm so sorry." Danielle said uselessly, she reached out to touch her and Caroline stepped back away from her.
_____"Don't touch me." She said, "All of this...you...me, everything, it was a lie?" Caroline said, her voice breaking. The day that had started out so wonderful now was bleak and dark. She felt a pain in her chest and she just wanted to get out of there. She looked at Danielle and saw guilt and regret written all over it.
_____"Why?" She said.
_____"What the hell do you mean why?" Amani said "Our sister has been in a coma for three months and you are asking why, you almost killed her." Amani practically screeched.
_____"So you did this to get back at me," Caroline said flatly.
_____"Yes," Amani said, "Revenge is so sweet."
_____Danielle stood there and watch the happiness and joy leave Caroline, she wanted to tell Amani to shut up, but she was frozen staring at Caroline looking like she had been destroyed. Caroline looked at her with her sad and now heartbroken eyes and said, "Well congratulations, your plan worked beautifully."
_____"Caroline no, please can we talk."
_____"No, I don't think so, you got what you wanted, I'm happy for you, I really hope this made you feel better. You made me pay, believe me I am paying."
_____Helen coming out of Cameron's room interrupted them.
_____"Come on in, she's asking for ya'll"
_____Danielle and Amani turned to walk in the room and Caroline watched them go in.
_____"You too, baby" Helen said "She's asking for you too."
_____"Me?" Caroline said "But...it's time for family, I don't belong in there."
_____"Yes you do, she wants to talk to you."
_____They walked in the room and Caroline saw a smiling Cameron lying in the bed.
_____"Hello," Caroline said, not knowing what to say to her.
_____"Hi," Cameron said.
_____"I'm so glad you are feeling better, I'm so sorry about what happened."
_____"There's no need for you to apologize," Cameron said.
_____"No need for her to apologize!" Amani cut in. "She almost killed you!"
_____"No she didn't," Cameron said.
_____"Yes, she did, she ran that light and hit you."
_____"No she didn't, I ran the light, I was messing with the radio, when I saw the light turn red, I was going to fast to make it so I figured I'd just run it, it wasn't the first time, so I just went through it. I saw her at the last second, I heard her brakes slam, she tried to stop but it was too late, the accident was my fault."
_____Everyone in the room was shocked.
_____"I remember you talking to me, holding my hand telling me everything was going to be ok. I think I made it because you were there talking to me, thank you."
_____Caroline was speechless, she could have sworn she didn't run that light but she hadn't been sure, now she knew she didn't. She felt the burden of guilt removed from her shoulders.
_____"Thank you," she said. "You have no idea how bad I felt, I thought I was responsible for hurting you."
_____"No, it was my fault, I should be apologizing for hurting you, I was being reckless."
_____Danielle and Amani looked at each other and they both felt sick. What had they done? They intentionally hurt this woman and the accident wasn't her fault. They both knew saying sorry wouldn't do anything.
_____Caroline stayed for a few more minutes, she was eager to leave, she couldn't take the apologetic looks Amani and Danielle were giving her. She just wanted to leave. Before she could sneak out she tried to decline a dinner invitation from Helen. She tried to respectfully decline, but Helen wasn't hearing it. So it looked like she was having dinner with them that night. She didn't want to ever see Danielle or her sister again but she had to for one more night. Then, they would never see her again.

_____Danielle and Amani were anxiously waiting for Caroline to show up. They both didn't know what to say to her, they were really ashamed of themselves. They hurt her for no reason at all. They were so blinded by their rage and hurt that they wanted revenge and was willing to do anything to get it. Amani felt wretched, she had been rude and outright mean to Caroline, what could she say to her? And Danielle felt awful, she had hurt a sweet and caring woman for nothing. She was in love with Caroline and she wanted to be with her. She knew Caroline wouldn't want to talk to her, let alone hear her out. What was she going to do?
_____Caroline was on the front porch of the house dreading going in. Her stomach was twisted in knots and she wanted to just leave. She didn't want to face them. Danielle had wounded her and she didn't know if she could see her. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
_____Danielle and Amina looked at each other when they heard the knock on the door. Amina got up to answer the door. She took a deep breath before opening the door. Caroline was standing there looking as if she wanted to run in the opposite direction.
_____"Hi," Amina said.
_____"Hi," Caroline said standing there, Amina could barely meet her eyes.
_____"Come in, Ma made a big dinner."
_____"Thank you," Caroline said stepping into the house.
_____"Um, I just want to say...I'm so sorry, I know sorry wont erase what we did, but Caroline I really am sorry..."
_____"Amani, I do understand why ya'll did why ya'll did. Now I am not going to lie, it hurt me very much, I really loved your sister, I really wanted to be with her...but I guess that's out of the question now."
_____"Does it have to be," Danielle said coming from around the corner "Does it have to be out of the question, I love you Caroline, I swear I do."
_____Amani slipped out of the room to let them talk.
_____"Danielle, I don't know if I could be with you after this, you lied to me, you set me up, you intentionally hurt me, you pretended to love me. I don't know If I could be with a person like that."
_____"Baby, I swear I am sorry, I only did that because I saw my mother and sister hurting so much and I felt helpless, I felt like I had to so something. I wasn't thinking clearly, all I could think was making you feel what we felt, but it felt empty, hurting you wouldn't make Cameron wake up any sooner. I am so sorry for hurting you, you didn't deserve that.
_____"I..." Caroline opened her mouth to say something but Helen called them for dinner.
_____They went into the dining room and Helen prepared a huge dinner, she looked much better since Cameron woke up. She was smiling and laughing and making jokes and Caroline instantly liked her. Helen talked and asked Caroline about her family, her job all about her. She then noticed how quiet Amani and Danielle were, they were usually the most talkative.
_____"Why are you two so quiet?" Helen asked.
_____"No reason, Ma." Amani said with her head down.
_____"Don't you lie to me young lady, I know when something's wrong with my daughter's, now spit it out."
_____Amani and Danielle both looked at their mother then at Caroline and bowed their heads.
_____"Amani, look at me," Helen said.
_____Amani looked at Danielle in panic, she couldn't look at her mother in her eyes and lie to her and Helen knew it.
_____"Now you look at me and tell me what's wrong."
_____Amani tried to look everywhere but at Helen's face.
_____"Girl, don't make me come over there." Helen threatened.
_____Amani cracked. The whole story came pouring out, she told Helen everything, about the plan, how she attacked Caroline, everything. When she was done both her and Danielle bowed their heads in shame. Helen looked at her two daughters and wondered what the hell they were thinking. How could they do something like that to such a gentle woman. She looked at Caroline and saw the tears in her eyes and how miserable she looked, it was painful to hear the story all over again.
_____"Oh my God, ya'll actually did that?" Helen asked horrified. They both nodded in disgrace. Helen didn't know what to say to her children.
_____"I thought I raised ya'll better than that." She said then she proceeded to curse and ream them both out. When she was done Danielle felt even worse and Amani was crying.
_____Caroline listened to the things Helen said and was glad she wasn't Danielle or Amani. She actually felt bad for them, the wrath of Helen was a scary thing.
_____"Tell me Caroline, do you love Danielle?" Helen said, not at all phased by the fact that they were gay.
_____"Well I...I do love her, but I don't know if I can forget how she lied and manipulated and hurt me."
_____"Danielle, do you love Caroline?"
_____"Yes, Ma, more than anything."
_____"How am I supposed to believe that?" Caroline asked Danielle.
_____"Because it's the truth."
_____"How do I know your not acting, when you kissed me or when we..?."
_____"I meant it every time I kissed you or when we made love, I meant it." Danielle said earnestly.
_____"I just don't know," Caroline said miserably.
_____"Caroline please forgive me." Danielle begged.
_____"I...I'm sorry I have to go now." Caroline said getting up from the table.
_____"Please baby, I love you." Danielle said desperately.
_____"Thank you for the dinner, Helen, goodbye." And she walked out of the house.
_____Danielle wanted to go after her but she sat there with her head in her hands fighting back tears.
_____"Baby, you know this is what you deserve," Helen said.
_____"I know Ma, but I still love her," Danielle said.
_____"Well then don't give up, that girl loves you too, but you crushed her, give her some time to heal, then I suggest you get on your knees and beg."
_____"Yeah Danni, your gonna have to beg," Amani said.
_____"Oh, I don't want to hear anything out of you, young lady, I still haven't decided not to take you upstairs and take the belt to your ass, attacking that poor child...what were you thinking. I think you should keep your mouth shut for once." Helen told a contrite Amani.
_____"Yes, mama." Amani said putting her head down.

_____ They each went to their rooms and went to bed. Danielle wanted to call Caroline but she knew she wouldn't talk to her. She loved her very much and she wasn't ready to give up on her.

_____ A month later Cameron came home. They missed her terribly. She was feeling much better she just had headaches at times. When she heard about what Danielle and Amani did she couldn't believe it, she was shocked and appalled at what they did. No wonder Caroline doesn't come to the house. As mad as she was at Danielle, she felt bad for her, Danielle was miserable. Every time she called and Caroline hung up on her she thought Danielle was going to cry. Damn she had to get them together. She had talked to Caroline and Caroline confessed that she still loved Danielle but she was scared to trust her again. She called Caroline and asked her to come over to the house. After a lot of persuasion Caroline came over. Cameron promised that Danielle wouldn't be there and she wasn't but she was on her way home but Caroline didn't need to know that.

_____ Caroline was glad to see how well Cameron was doing, she liked her, Cameron was smart and funny and easy to get along with. They had a good conversation. Cameron asked her why didn't she just put Danielle out of her misery and take her back. Caroline confessed to how much she missed her. Cameron heard the car pull up in the driveway and asked Caroline to go to the kitchen and get her something to drink. Caroline went up to get it and when she went in the kitchen Danielle walked in the door. She didn't know Caroline was there because she parked in the back.
_____"Hey you, how was the movie?"
_____"It was ok, I wanted to take Caroline to it but she still isn't talking to me," Danielle said dejectedly.
_____"Well you can't give up." Cameron said.
_____"But what if she never decides to take me back?" Danielle said almost starting to cry.
_____"I cant live without her, I need her."
_____"Have you told her?"
_____"No, she wont talk to me, I would give anything to have her back Cam. I miss her so much, I lie at night and wish she was with me, I can't live with out her."
_____"It sound like you lover her very much."
_____"I do, I really do, I'm so sorry I hurt her, but if I had another chance I would never hurt her again, I would devote my life to making her happy."
_____"You promise?" Caroline said coming out of the kitchen.
_____Danielle spun around and stared in shock at Caroline standing there. "Baby, I swear, I would never do anything to hurt you again, I love you so much."
_____Caroline looked at Danielle closely and her heart twisted when she saw the tears in her eyes. They both had been suffering, and now it was time for both of them to heal.
_____"Come here, baby." Caroline said and Danielle quickly rushed into her arms.
_____Caroline hugged Danielle tight and felt her body shudder. Danielle hugged her tightly, like she was never going to let her go.
_____"I'm so sorry," Danielle said into her shoulder
_____"Shh, it's ok, I forgive you."
_____"I promise I will never hurt you again, I love you."
_____"I love you too," Caroline said and was surprised to see fresh tears in Danielle's eyes.
_____"What's wrong baby?" Caroline asked taking Danielle's face in her hands.
_____"I just never thought I would hear you say that again." Danielle said her voice shaking.
_____"Well I'm going to be saying it a lot from now on." Caroline said bringing Danielle's face down for another kiss.
_____Danielle and Caroline are still together, Caroline is blissfully happy, Danielle is as loving and as wonderful as Caroline knew she could be. Everyone teased Danielle, saying she was whipped, but she didn't care. Caroline was her baby and she loved her with all her heart, and she was looking forward to spending the rest of her life proving it to her.

THE END

Copyright © 2000. Used by permission of author. All Rights Reserved.