"If I had just kept my mouth shut and left you alone, your life would be like it was, Lil. You wouldn’t be forced like you are now to run. Your relationship with your mother would be like it was and you’d be happy," Nicole went on to tell her. Lily sighed, finally understanding. She shook her head.

"Nic, YOU make me happy. And I would have come out to my mother eventually. You didn’t make me gay. You didn’t cause this and I’m `running’ because my mother is making me. SHE’S forcing my hand here, not you," she reached up and stroked the side of Nicole’s face gently.

"Niki, I love you and I’d run to the ends of the Earth to stay with you," she went on as tears cascaded down Nicole’s face.

"You love me?" Nicole repeated just needing to hear it. Lily nodded with a smile.

"Yes. OK, sure, if you’d told me six months ago that I’d fall in love with Nicole Julian I’d have hit you over the head with a frying pan," Lily joked. Nicole laughed which was the effect Lily wanted. "But now that I know you, the real you, Nic, yes, I love you. Completely. I wouldn’t change anything. Well, accept maybe the car accident, that sucked." Nicole laughed again.

"That did suck and it was scary as Hell. I was afraid I was going to lose you just as I found you," Nicole agreed. "And I love you too, Lily." Lily kissed her and hugged her tighter.

"Then stop feeling so guilty, Nic. It’s not your fault and we’re in this together. Besides, it’ll all work out, it has to," she said hopefully. Nicole nodded skeptically.

"I hope for all your sakes, you’re right, Lily."

**

The four girls climbed into the SUV and pointed the car east. After deciding that maybe Sam wasn’t the best choice for driver (to which she raspberried them all), Brooke got behind the wheel and with no real plan, started driving. The first hour or so of the ride was quiet with each girl lost in their own thoughts but eventually the silence gave way to playful conversation.

"You do realize that with me and Brookie here gone, that leaves Mary Cherry in charge at Kennedy?" Nicole pointed out idly. Sam and Lily shuttered as Brooke started to laugh.