Part 27 (1/2)

I love you with all my heart. I need to be with you. Just say the word and I will be on the next plane North.

You are my heart Rox. Come fly away and be my love.

Ca.s.s”

Rox swallowed hard when she finished reading the note. Tears of joy filled her eyes as she reread the tender words of love. ”Oh my G.o.d. I have never read anything so beautiful in my life,” she said, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle a sob.

”Wow, Rox ... looks like this guy has fallen for you big time. How do you feel about him?” Jerri asked.

”I love him, Jer. Don't ask me how or why, but I do. I know we've only known each other a few weeks, but I really do love him. I can't believe he returns that love,” she exclaimed.

”Oh, he more than returns it, Rox. This man is infatuated with you ... head over heels. Wouldn't you say, Nik?” Jerri remarked.

”Wha.... What? Oh yeah, I agree. Looks like your note didn't scare him away after all, Rox,” Nikki said, quickly recovering from the disappointment of not seeing a reply to her earlier note.

Jerri looked closely at Nikki, accurately guessing what had her wife so preoccupied, before turning her attention back to Rox. ”So, what's next? More chat? More e-mail? Maybe another phone call?” Jerri asked.

”Well, I should probably respond to this note for starters,” Rox replied. ”Then ... who knows?”

Posing her hands over the keyboard, she began to write as her two friends watched diligently over her shoulders.

”My Dearest Ca.s.s,

Your words bring such joy to my heart I can hardly contain it. I too am in love with you. I don't know how it could have happened so quickly ... we haven't even met in the physical sense, however, I find that you have become a vital piece of my life. I want desperately to meet you in person ... to touch you ... to feel your heart beating beneath my fingertips.

I do feel safe with you, Ca.s.s. I trust that you will never hurt me. I really need that in a relations.h.i.+p right now. I look forward to knowing your heart and soul, and to touching you with my own. I too promise to treat it tenderly and to never hurt you.

Your intentions are honorable, my love. I, the bard, find myself at a loss for words when I read the elegant prose penned by your own hand ... words of love and commitment ... promises of happiness and cherished moments. I too look forward to making love all night and carrying your memory with me throughout the days. I too wish to walk by your side through many years of life and love, only to lie in your arms as I take my dying breath. I am content in the knowledge that our love will endure the separation of life and death - only to meet again on the other side, where we will truly be together for all eternity.

I need you, Ca.s.s. I love you. Come to me, my love, and be happy in my arms.

Rox”

Rox sat back in her seat and read the note over one more time before clicking on 'send'. As the three women watched the note disappear into the far recesses of the Internet, Jerri leaned in and whispered into Nikki's ear, ”If your note doesn't get him here, that one certainly will!”

Nikki just nodded her agreement as she leaned in and wrapped her arms around Rox.

It was well after midnight and Rox was still working on her story despite Nikki's protests that she needed sleep to help her recover from Chris' latest beating. Rox argued that she was already behind in her commitments and that she just had to work in order to make up for lost time. After several failed attempts to get her to rest, Nikki just gave up and joined Jerri in the living room where she curled up with a book. Jerri has just arrived home from work moments before and was unwinding by playing with her Leggo's on the floor.

”She's being stubborn, isn't she?” Jerri asked, looking up from the Leggo hospital she was building.

”You know Jer, I always thought that you were the most stubborn person I knew, but she's got you beat by a mile!” Nikki answered. ”d.a.m.n, that woman makes my blood boil some times!”

Jerri chuckled and resumed her construction. ”I don't know, Nik ... I'd say you run a pretty close second,” she commented.

”What!!? Jerri, I'm not stubborn!” Nikki protested.

Jerri looked at her wife and raised her eyebrows into her hairline. Her expression said it all.

”Don't look at me like that! I am not stubborn!” the blonde repeated.

”Yes you are,” Jerri replied.

”No I'm not!” Nikki retorted.

”Are too!”

”Am not!”

”Are too!”

”Am not!”

”Persistent too!” Jerri added, grinning and loving every minute of Nikki's ranting.

”I am not! Jerri, how can you say that? I try very hard to be patient and kind and understanding. I make a point of compromising whenever possible! I'm not stubborn ... I'm not!” Nikki said adamantly.

”Persistent too!” Jerri said again.

”Ah ... Ah ... Ah .... Aarrgghh!!! You did that on purpose didn't you?” Nikki demanded, finally catching on to Jerri's baiting.

Jerri just grinned guiltily.

”Why you little s.h.i.+t!” Nikki accused, getting up and crus.h.i.+ng Jerri's Leggo hospital with her foot. ”You forgot vindictive!” she added before stomping off to bed.

The early dawn hours of Tuesday found Rox still typing at her computer, having spent the entire night working on her book. She ran into Nikki in the second story hallway - both of them on their way to the bathroom.

”'Morning,” Nikki said sleepily. ”Did you sleep well, Rox?”

Rox looked guiltily at Nikki and slipped into the bathroom ahead of her friend.

Nikki stood there staring at the closed door. Narrowing her eyes, she suddenly realized what had just happened. Pounding on the door, she shouted at her friend, ”Roxanne, don't you dare tell me you were up all night!”

”All right, I won't,” Rox answered through the door.