Winds of Heaven (20 page)

With that, Skye came dashing down the hallway, completely naked. “Gamma give me bath. She read to me.”

Meredith entered the living room, running her fingers through her silver hair. “Only pulled her out of the drain once.” She laughed and held out her hand. “C’mon, you little guppy, kiss your mother and Casey good night.”

Liz let out a groan as she leaned down to kiss Skye. “
G’night
, sweet pea. I love you.”

“Ni-
ni
, Mama.” She ran to Casey who knelt down. “Ni-
ni
,
Cafey
.”

“
G’night
,
Shortround
,” she whispered and kissed her flushed cheek. “Sweet dreams.”

Liz felt the tears well in her eyes when she saw the forlorn look on Casey; she swore she saw tears in her green eyes, as well. She looked back at Meredith. “Thanks for this, Meredith.”

“My pleasure, dear.”

“Um, Meredith?”

Meredith cocked her head as she held onto Skye’s hand.

“PJs?” Liz pointed to her naked child.

Meredith snapped her fingers. “I knew I forgot something. Casey used to sleep naked all the time. I believe she still does.”

Casey’s eyes bugged out of her head; she avoided Liz, who laughed. The silence that filled the room lasted for only a moment before Liz started again.

“Okay. Where do I start? I’m Skye’s godmother. My best friend, Barb, and her husband, Steve, died in a car accident when Skye was about two months old. We had planned that I would be her legal guardian and would adopt Skye should something like that happen. Of course, we never dwelled on it or spoke of it again. They had no relatives to speak of. I thought I would have a problem with Steve’s parents, but they didn’t seem to mind. Don’t you think that’s strange? A grandparent not wanting their granddaughter?”

Casey shrugged. She was just trying to keep up with all this. “I would think so. When my mother died, Meredith just took over. I know I was grown and in college, but I can’t imagine her not wanting to be in my life.” She stopped and stared at the fire.

“How did you mother die?” Liz asked.

Casey looked up and shrugged. “Cancer. Seems to be the popular way to go.” She stopped, realizing what she said. “I’m sorry. That…”

“I understand, and you’re right. Did you have much time with her?”

Casey nodded. “Yes, but she was so sick throughout college. She wouldn’t let me quit and come home. Gram said she wanted me to finish and not have to take care of her. I-I wish…”

“You had more time with her,” Liz said, finishing for her.

“Yes,” Casey said. “Sorry, please finish about Skye.”

“Well, after the funeral and finalizing the paperwork, Skye came home with us. Barb’s parents were deceased and Steve’s parents were there for the funeral, then they flew home. I think they live out of the country, well, they did at the time. I felt there was no other choice. Besides, Julie was thrilled. Skye is a beautiful little girl, full of life.”

“And the devil,” Casey found herself saying with affection. Liz had to agree. “I feel like a heel. I thought you were irresponsible, spending a boatload of money on not one but two artificial inseminations, then Julie dies and you’re stuck with no money.”

“I can see where you would think that.” Liz groaned slightly as she shifted in the chair. Casey pulled the ottoman over and lifted her legs onto it. “Thanks,” Liz said with a tired sigh. Casey sat on the hearth and leaned against the stone wall. She stared at the dancing flames; Liz saw the contemplative gaze and for the first time really thought how attractive Casey was. Oh, not in the “
ohmygod
, you’re gorgeous,” which she was. But in a quiet subtle way—like now. Casey didn’t know, or didn’t let on, that Liz was watching her. She looked vulnerable; it was a definite aphrodisiac to Liz.

“Perhaps I should feel like a heel, Casey.”

Casey blinked slowly and looked at her. “How so?”

“Julie broached the topic of artificial insemination. At first, I said no. We had a child, but Julie wanted another. ‘To keep Skye company,’ she had said. Julie, if you remember, was an only child and had a very lonely, sad childhood. I used that as an excuse. I was trying to keep Julie, I think.”

Casey said nothing.

“She was constantly gone, always flying here and there. Never spending time at home with Skye…or me. So I foolishly thought she wanted a baby between us, to feel more like a family and to be more responsible. It was so stupid of me.”

“I can’t believe she’s dead,” Casey said, then shot a look at Liz. “Shit. I’m sorry. What an asinine thing to say.”

“Don’t be. I agree. However, you know, she’d been away for so long that I don’t know, it somehow made this easier. Does that make sense? I mean, I did love her, and I do miss her, but the last six months have been so overwhelming and I’ve had so much to deal with.” She stopped and glanced at Casey. “I’m not looking for sympathy.”

Casey smiled slightly. “I know. That’s the one infuriating thing about you.”

Liz glared, then saw the lips twitching with amusement. She laughed along. “I have a fierce independent streak.” She watched Casey, who nodded emphatically, then stared at the fire again. “What are you thinking?”

“I was thinking about Julie. She wanted kids, but I knew she wasn’t responsible and I couldn’t conceive of doing that to a child, not when you have a choice. Being gay, you have to be so careful. Even straight, having a child is an enormous responsibility.”

“Too much for you?”
 

Casey thought before answering. “No, it’s not. Just not with Julie, and I don’t mean to speak ill of her, Liz. I-I loved Julie…”

“You don’t need to explain. I know exactly how you feel. I loved Julie, as well,” Liz said, laughing as she shook her head. “There was something about her.”

“Yes, there was. I will be honest, though, I’d never even consider having a child unless I was married to my partner,” she said and frowned. She hadn’t thought of this topic in five years. “But that’s another story. I am not in the market for a family or a relationship. I-I like my freedom,” she said, feeling uncomfortable with this topic.

Liz nodded and put her head back. “I don’t blame you. You seem to have a good, comfortable life. You come and go as you please, though you don’t eat right. I imagine you’re not wanting for the company of a lovely woman. Don’t you get lonely? I mean at night to have just one someone to hold on to, to wake up and start the day with?” When Casey did not reply, she continued, “No, I guess you don’t. I envy you, Casey Bennett,” she said and yawned. “Well, things happen for a reason, a good reason. I believe that.” She sighed and closed her eyes.

“Can I tell you something?”

Liz lifted her head and nodded. Her stomach fluttered with anticipation at what Casey was about to say.

“Just now, you look young, too young to have two kids and go through a companion dying, friends dying, and, hell, you look pretty good for all that life. You’re an attractive woman, Liz.”

Liz felt her face grow warm; she knew she was blushing. Casey grinned and looked away.

“Thank you. I don’t feel very attractive.”

“Gram said you’d feel like that,” Casey said. “Look, I’m sorry I’m not in touch with all this. I want to help, and now that I know the whole story and feel like a jackass, maybe we can start over.”

Liz grinned. “I’d like that. Skye, well, she really adores you.”

It was Casey’s turn to blush. She laughed and scratched her forehead. “She’s a handful, but I really get a kick out of her.”

They both laughed and enjoyed the comfortable silence for the first time between them. “So tell me how you got stuck in that inner tube.”

Casey laughed. “I was trying to show her how to put it on, so she could stay in the water without me holding her. She’s a lot like her mother, very independent.”

“God help you, Ms. Bennett.”

“I think He already might have.”

Liz shot her an incredulous look and grinned.

“Well, you’re both still alive,” Meredith said as she walked down the hall. “Skye is sound asleep. I had to read her Shelley. For
godsake
, Liz, doesn’t she know ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Whatever Comes Next Fish’?” She waved them off while they laughed. “I need a drink.”

Chapter 13

“You must come for a visit to Chicago,” Meredith said as they walked to her car.

“I’d love to, Meredith. Thank you so much,” Liz said with tears in her eyes. She hugged Meredith and kissed her cheek.

“You’ll take care of this idiot, won’t you?” Meredith motioned to Casey, who rolled her eyes.

Liz laughed as she wiped the tears away. Skye’s bottom lipped quivered as she reached up. “Goodbye, my little darling.”

“Bye, Gamma,” Skye said. “You coming back?”

Meredith chucked her under the chin. “You try and keep me away.” She reached for Casey, who hugged her fiercely.

“Good grief, Gram. I’ll see you when I go back to Chicago.”

“And bring the girls.” Meredith lightly slapped her cheek. “Behave until then.”

Casey picked up Skye and waved as Meredith’s big car maneuvered down the access road. “Don’t kill anyone!” Casey called out.

Liz slapped her arm and took Skye from her. “We’d better get going, too. My appointment is in an hour.” She looked at Casey. “Thanks for driving me and taking Skye.”

“We’ll have fun,” Casey said. She waited patiently for Liz to get ready.

It was a short drive to the clinic. Casey parked in front of the doctor’s office in town.
 

“Skye, be good for Casey,” Liz warned as she kissed the blond hair. She looked at Casey. “Casey, be good for Skye,” she added with a chuckle.

“Amusing,” Casey countered and couldn’t hide her grin when she saw Liz’s blue eyes sparkling. Casey had a hard time looking away. She then felt her shorts being tugged.

“C’mon,
Cafey
.” Skye groaned and pulled.

Liz laughed. “You’d better go. I shouldn’t be more than a half hour or so.”

“We’ll meet you back here,” Casey said.

“Be careful,” Liz said, trying to hide her concern.

“What could go wrong?” Casey asked as Skye pulled her down the street.

Liz sat in the examining room afterward while the old doctor scribbled on the chart.

“Everything looks good, though you need a little more weight on you. How is everything else? Your husband—”

“I’m not married, Doctor,” Liz offered.

The old man looked at the chart again. “Ah, I see. I’m sorry to be presumptuous. Nowadays, you just don’t know. Well, you’re doing just fine, keep it up. Is your…?” he hesitated and Liz saw the color rise in this face. “…are you living alone?”

Now it was Liz’s turn to blush. “N-no. I’m staying with a friend for now. Perhaps you know her, Casey Bennett.”

The old doctor raised an eyebrow, and Liz had a good idea that Dr. Martin knew Casey.

“She’s been a tremendous help,” Liz continued, then smiled thinking of the burnt dinner from the night before and how Casey had helped with Skye. “More than she realizes,” she said absently as she remembered how all three lay in the big bed while Liz read to them. She also remembered the look she got from Casey. Her green eyes seemed to look right through her. Perhaps she only wanted it to be so.