Nicky only pulls her closer, taking her down the hall to the bedroom for some privacy. She shuts the door and carries Lorna over to the bed, sitting down beside her. Her eyes gaze softly into the other’s. ”Lay down with me, baby. Come on,” she tenderly commands, holding out her arms for her while patting her chest with one of her hands.

”Of course, sweetie…whatever makes ya feel better,” Lorna gently responds, lying in the redhead’s eagerly waiting arms. She quirks an eyebrow up at her, still somewhat concerned with her actions. ”Are ya sure you’re okay? And shouldn’t I be the one holding you, honey? You’re the one who just got outta the hospital the other day.”

Stroking her lips warmly against the shorter woman’s cheeks, Nicky slowly shakes her head. ”I’m fine, kid,” she assures her with another soothing kiss on the cheek. Her eyes soften even more, gazing heavily down at the brunette. ”I haven’t held you in years, Lorna. I need this—you need this, baby.”

”I had a little chat with your son earlier. Sweet kid he is—just like his mom—he cares so much about you,” Nicky gently starts off, lightly brushing her hand through Lorna’s brown hair. ”He told me you were sad a lot—not because of Vinny’s death, which he told me never happened—but because you missed me… He said you missed me so much that Vinny decided to leave you for that and moved across the country. Lorna, baby, I need you to be honest with me. Please tell me the truth. Even if the truth hurts, you need to tell me—okay? I’m not gonna be mad at you, so don’t even worry about that. Just talk to me; I love you. I’m here to help you just like you’re helping me. We’re kinda a team here, kid.”

Lorna sighs, closing her eyes in shame of herself. ”Can’t fool my own son, I know. That little boy’s smarter than I was at his age.”

Caressing her cheeks, Nicky waits patiently for her to continue but when she doesn’t she pulls her closer and cups a hand around her cheek, ”Look at me, kid. Come on—I’m here to listen. I’m not here to make judgements; don’t be scared to talk to me. I need you to talk to me about this.”