One Last Chance

Helen sat in a local pub staring at the TV as Nikki’s appeal verdict was read. She felt her heart stop, tears streamed down her face as she heard the original sentence had been overturned and Nikki was free to go. Helen suddenly realized their three-year fight had come to and end Nikki was a free woman. Everything they fought for, hoped for and prayed for had happened Nikki would never have to go back to Larkhall again. Finally, they could go on with their lives.

At that, moment Helen’s heart began to ached as she realized all their dreams were over. Nikki was no longer hers. She had been too weak to fight for her lover now she had lost her. Nikki would surely go back to Trisha; after all, they shared a nine-year history. Helen wanted to run all the way to Nikki arms but she knew someone else was filling them. Just then Helen catch a glimpse of Nikki leaving the court house Trisha by her side. Helen heart ached once more, but she knew she was the blame. She thought back to all the times Nikki tried to get her to hold on not to give up on their love but in the end she walked away. Tears began to swell in those beautiful green eyes.

Jealousy tugged at Helen as she watches everyone congratulating Nikki, everyone but her. After all, it was her idea for the appeal. Helen soon realized it was her that Nikki was thanking for believing in her, for not giving up when every one else walked away, for saving her very life. Finally a glimmer of hope if she could just get to her beg her to forgive her for being so stupid, to tell her she never stopped loving her maybe they could start over.

Helen knew she had to find Nikki. She had to apologize for not being stronger, for not finding a way to fight Fenner, for not being there at the end. She had to tell Nikki how much she still loved her and wanted to be with her, only her. Only the sound of her cell phone broke Helen’s gauze from the TV. It was Claire’s voice on the other end. Where are you Claire asked? Helen could no longer hold back the tears as the dam finally broke she told her friend where she was.

15 minutes later Claire was sitting in a booth across from Helen filling her in on all the days’ events. Helen told Claire how much she had wanted to be there, but she did not think Nikki would have wanted her there. Claire was confused why would you say that Helen. Nikki asked about you several times each day. She wanted to know if I had heard from you, if you had asked about her or if I thought I would see you later.

As Claire continued to fill Helen in she noticed a sharp change in Helen’s mood. What is wrong she asked her friend? Again, Helen could not hold back the tears as she begins to tell her friend the whole story. As Helen describes the love story that was three years in the making, Claire’s eyes also began to fill with tear. By the time Helen finished her green eyes were swollen and very sad. Helen’s worse fear was the last time she would see Nikki would be on the TV walking away arm and arm with Trisha.

Helen, Marian and I are meeting her at her bar later for a drink she and her friends are on their way there to celebrate would you like to come with us? The club, Helen jumped up kissing her friend she was off to find Nikki. What am I going to say, how am I going to get her to forgive me, how do I make her love me again. Helen thought to her self I just will.

As Helen open the door to the club her hands began to shake she was so afraid Nikki would not listen, but that was a chance she had to take. She made up her mind that if Nikki rejected her she would just have to keep trying because a love like theirs was to important to walk away from. Helen finally had Nikki in her sights, God she is so beautiful even in this light Helen thought aloud. Nikki was waving and walking toward Helen. I just had to see you I wanted to tell you how happy I am for you. Helen wanted to take hold of her lover, lead her out of the bar, and back to their home where they could make love all night. Nikki had an opportunity to thank Helen in person. Helen looked around at the club, this is very nice Nikki, Trisha did a great job while you were gone. Just as Helen started to tell Nikki how she felt she saw Trisha giving her a look of death. How can I compete with nine years Helen lost her nerve again? Helen said good-bye to Nikki and walked away leaving Nikki to think she had to go home to Thomas. Helen was kicking herself again as she stood outside the club, tell me you love me echoed in Helen’s mind. Helen started to walk back toward the club when she saw Nikki coming through the door looking around. Looking for someone Helen asked Nikki turned smiling walking toward her. Helen knew this was her chance it was just her and Nikki standing close enough to feel each other breathe. Nikki I have been such an idiot yes Helen I know what you said. Thomas and I split up, Nikki it is you I want to be with I love you and I have never stopped. Nikki can you ever forgive me? Do you think we could every, just then Nikki pulled Helen into a passionate kiss. Helen caught her breathe as she looked into Nikki eyes with such longing. Helen you are gorgeous I love you so much I love you to Nikki. Helen took Nikki hand come on time to go home Nikki Wade and this time I am never letting you go.

Version 2


The Reunion


Helen felt hollow as she sat watching Nikki on TV, she could not believe this day had finally come. Nikki was a free woman but she was no longer her woman. Her mind became her worse enemy as she struggled to keep the memories of their first night together from flooding back. She remembered every kiss, every emotion, and every touch from that night. Helen knew no night before or no night since had been that important in her life. It was the night Helen finally felt true passion, the night that changed her life forever.

Only the sound of her ringing cell phone brought Helen back to reality. It was Claire’s voice on the other end. Helen, results, we have won. She is free Helen Nikki is free! Where are you I need to speak with you it is very important? Claire is everything ok is Nikki all right. Yes, she is fine. Helen told Claire where she was and they said good-bye.

15 minutes later Claire was sitting in a booth across from Helen filling her in on all the days’ events. Helen could not help but fill a little jealous of her friend. Claire was there when they set Nikki free. She told Claire how much she had wanted to be there, but she was much too nervous and she did not want to upset Nikki any further. Helen looked at Claire and said that is not true I did not think Nikki wanted me there. Claire was confused, why would you say that Helen? Nikki asked about you several times a day, she wanted to know if I had heard from you, if you had asked about her, or if I thought I would see you later. That instantly brought a smile to Helen’s face, maybe there was still a chance after all. Helen knew she had to try, she had to see Nikki, and she had to try to get her to forgive her.

Helen was daydreaming about seeing Nikki; she did not hear what Claire said at first. Helen, Claire called for a second time. Can I ask you something, it is very important? Sure Claire what do you want to ask me? Claire cleared her throat I know you do not know Nikki all that well. Nevertheless, do you know if she was seeing anyone while you were at Larkhall? Did she have someone special in her life? Helen sat staring at her friend wondering what if anything Claire knew about her relationship with Nikki. Why would you ask me that Claire? Helen I cannot explain how it happened working so closely with Nikki all these months realizing what a wonderful person she is I fell in love with her. What, Helen asked turning red? I know this is a shock I can hardly believe it myself. Helen I am so confused I have had months to wrap my head around this I know it does not make sense but every time I look in those big brown eyes, it feels so right. Nikki is so gorgeous Helen who would not fall in love with her. Helen I am in love with Nikki Wade and I cannot wait to tell her. Helen knew all to well how Claire felt. I have been waiting for this day for so long. I could not say anything to her about my feeling until her appeal was over. I could not risk anything interfering with her appeal it was to important. I am still not sure what or how I will tell her. It is hard saying it to me. Helen I know you are surprised but say something. Claire did Nikki say or do anything to make you think she returns your feelings? Helen I am not sure sometimes I fell that she does care other times I am just not sure.

I wanted to tell her as soon as the appeal was over, but there was no time with all of her friends wanting to help her celebrate and deep down I am so scared there is someone else. Claire what makes you think that, has Nikki every given you any indication that she was seeing someone? One night when Nikki and I were talking, she told me she started the appeal because she wanted to be free to be with the woman she loves but she never mentioned a name. You spent time with Nikki I thought that maybe she had told you who she was. For the longest time Helen, I was so jealousy of you. Why of me, Helen asked? Nikki spoke of you so often and so fondly that I originally thought it was you until Nikki told me about Thomas and you. Nikki said you had found someone who could make you happy and you truly deserved to be happy. Nikki seemed glad for you, but her eyes were always sad when she spoke of it. I thought it was because she felt she would lose your friendship. Helen felt anger well up inside her how could her friend do this to her. Suddenly she wondered if Nikki had done something to egg Claire on. Was this Nikki’s way of getting back at her for not being strong enough to fight for her, for opting for the easy life? Helen’s mind once again flooded with memories of Nikki. She was seeing flashes of the first time Nikki had kissed her, had held her hand, had made love to her the first time Nikki had touched her very soul. Helen’s eyes filled with tears as the memories of her love for Nikki took over. Helen why are you crying oh, my God there is someone you have to tell me who? I know it is not Trisha Nikki told me they are just friends. When are you planning to see Nikki, where is she now Helen asked? Marian and I are meeting her for drinks at her and Trisha’s club in a couple of hours. Helen you and I have been friends since we were girls will you help me; will you go with me to see Nikki now? I do not think I can wait any longer. Helen what do you think will you go with me I am not sure I can do this on my own?

Helen looked deep into her friend eyes she did not want to hurt Claire but she had denied her love for Nikki for so long she could not do it any longer. Helen took a deep breathe; she felt her mouth open, her lips part, and she heard the sound of her own voice. Claire I think what Nikki feels for you is gratitude. What we both feel toward you is gratitude. Claire I do not want to hurt your feelings you have done so much for Nikki and me. Yes, I am going to the club to see Nikki but I am going alone. Claire looked confused again. Do you think it will be better coming from you then me, is that why you want to go alone? Claire you asked me a question earlier and I need to answer it. I do know what it feel like to be in love with Nikki and to have her love you back. Claire I know what it feels like to want Nikki so bad it hurts. Yes, I know what it feels like to look in her gorgeous eyes and hear her tell me how much she loves me. I know what it is like to see the sparkle in her eyes when I tell her how much I love her back. Claire Nikki is my lover, my soul mate my life I cannot live without her any longer. It is time we began our life together we have been apart long enough.