The falling snow placed a soft white blanket over the ground. It glittered in the evening light. Erica sat in her car and looked at the open s.p.a.ce where her grandparent's house had stood. The ground was now level and a group of pine trees stood where the swimming pool had been. While she had been in Mexico, and on the west coast, the house destroyed by fire had been torn down and a landscaping company had restored the property to an approximation of its original natural state.

Tears filled Erica's eyes as she realized that a part of her had gone with that house - the house that Tayler had lived in. She was grateful that she had been gone when the house had been leveled, for it would have been too difficult to watch.

Unfortunately, Erica sighed, the landscape crew could do nothing to fill the void she felt in her life -to restore it to its original joy and wonder. With each pa.s.sing day, the void seemed to grow deeper and deeper. She had stretched herself emotionally and physically ever since Halloween, using the destruction of the curse as a springboard to try to bring new meaning into her life. The response had been rewarding. a.s.sociates praised her renewed creativity, she was sought by a media who relished her new openness, and women lavished her with attention. For the first time in twelve years she felt in control of her destiny.

Though her days were filled with appointments, meetings and dates, the loneliness and emptiness that greeted her at the end of the day surprised her. The December wind rocked her car and the snow swirled around her. She started the engine and pulled out on to the road for the short trip home.

At the end of the long and winding road, the house waited patiently in the cold for her arrival. Through the bare branches she could see the lights that beckoned her. When she had it built, Erica had wanted to fill its rooms with laughter and love, but now she had to decide whether to leave what had become a fortress and start all over again. She was not the same woman who had left two months ago.

After her plane arrived in Minneapolis late that afternoon, Erica had gone to her office hoping to finalize her plans for the future, but the silence in her office only rekindled the loneliness. She sat at her desk too bewildered to move. After five hours of staring out the window, Erica left her office to confront her past and define her future.

Now, as she drove up the road to the house, everything looked so pristine. The tires crunched on the new snow and the black treads gripped the covered road. The only tracks on the driveway were hers.

On the stoop, Erica was surprised by the flood of memories. She exhaled and saw her breath in the cold night air. Her body ached wondering what Tayler was doing. The thought only heightened her despair. She had wanted to call Tayler a thousand times, but for a thousand reasons never did.

When she left Puerto Arista, Erica had flown straight to the Bahamas. She rented a house on the beach and spent the first few days trying to figure out how to begin living again. While out taking an evening stroll along the beach one night, a young woman approached her. At first Erica thought it was Tayler, or maybe she had prayed it was her, but it wasn't. Beyond the similarities in appearance, the woman was nothing like Tayler. They had gone to bed that night with little fanfare. Bored with Erica's lack of response, the woman left the following morning grumbling about "the beautiful rose with sharp thorns." Agitated and depressed, Erica closed herself in the house with a dreadful fear that the police were looking for her. Patricia Locksley's ghost kept her company hour after hour. At dusk she ventured out and sat under a palm tree and watched the sunset. Five hundred yards up the beach, she saw a woman collecting sh.e.l.ls. Intrigued, Erica got up and began walking toward the woman. When she was halfway there she stopped in stunned silence. Erica fell to her knees. The water rushed around her legs and the sand rolled over her toes. Alarmed, the woman approached and helped Erica to her feet. Erica grew giddy. It was the same woman with whom she had spent the previous evening. Twelve hours after they had been intimate, the woman was still alive. She laughed, cried and played in the sand. She could hardly contain her joy. The befuddled woman walked away, shaking her head.

The curse, for her, was finally over and it was time for her to leave.

She went to San Francisco to take control of her destiny. Her business dealings with an architectural design firm in the city proved to be more than she had hoped. She dove back into her work with a renewed spirit. The merger that had been proposed in the months before she left for Mexico was finally going through. The papers were just waiting for her signature. The press conference wasn't scheduled to take place for three days.

"Erica," Candace Lanear squealed as she opened the door. "Hi, happy holidays.

"What are you doing out there in the cold? Come in, come in," Candace grabbed Erica's arm and pulled her into the house. She took Erica's coat and hung it up. When she came back she gave her employer a big hug. "It's so good to have you back. I've missed you."

"And I've missed you, Candace. The house looks great," Erica returned the hug, noticing the Christmas decorations behind them. The smell of fresh garland and baked cookies filled the air. Evergreen boughs were wrapped around the banister and red bows were placed at equal intervals. "It looks pretty festive in here." Erica walked to the double-doors, which opened to the living room, and saw a eight-foot tree decorated with colored lights, ornaments and tinsel. It brought back memories of the holidays Erica had spent with her grandparents. She turned and faced Candace. Tears threatened to reveal her pain.

"You didn't have to go through all this trouble," Erica said.

"You looked so down at the office today, your friends and coworkers went into action." Candace exclaimed excitedly.

"They're not all here are they?" Erica looked around.

"No, I sent them home before the snow got any deeper." Candace ushered Erica into the kitchen and pampered the tired traveler with warm spiced tea and sugar cookies fresh from the oven.

The tenderness touched her. Finally, Erica surrendered and let the tears fall. When her sobs subsided she stepped out of Candace's embrace. "Is everything set for the press conference?"

"Yup," Candace replied. She saw Erica frown.

"Good," Erica lied. "Candace, I want your opinion. Do you think I should go through with the merger?"

"Yes, I suppose, but first let me fill you in on some background. Your legal team has come up with a merger that allows you to keep your headquarters here in Minneapolis, while at the same time expanding your interests elsewhere." Candace replied confidently. "Second, the merger will provide more jobs by staying here - something that's important to you. Finally," Candace paused for effect, "you have no intention of moving to San Francisco."

"I see the logic, but really is it enough to keep me here?" Erica waited for Candace's response.

Candace removed a pan of cookies from the oven. "I know you're hurting and want to run away, but you're smart enough to know that your unhappiness will follow you. You're a survivor, Erica, you always have been. But, I have this sense that the confusion you feel tonight will be gone by the time your press conference takes place."

"Is that a prediction?" Erica teased and then laughed.

"Let's just say it's a woman's intuition."

"I hope you're right." Erica got up from her chair. They walked to the door of the library.

"Your messages are on your desk."

"Are there any from - "

"You're a very popular woman. You've also got a huge pile of magazines and newspapers to read."

Erica noticed how Candace had intentionally avoided letting Erica finish.

"I suggest that you get to bed as soon as you can. You look really tired." Candace looked at her watch. "And I've got a husband to get home to, so I'll see you tomorrow.

"Okay, good night, Candace, and thanks." Erica waved to Candace and walked into the library.

The familiar smell of leather filled her nostrils and she walked around the room touching everything-the desk, books, lamps - as if she were seeing them for the first time. As she stood behind her desk, however, the familiar pangs of loneliness and apprehension struck. She flipped through the stack of pink phone messages but, as she neared the end, the empty feeling inside began to swallow her. There were no calls from Tayler.

Erica sat down in her chair and put her head in her hands. Again she let the tears flow. She was in her own home and she was safe to cry the millions of tears she had held back for twelve years. She wondered where all the tears came from and if they would ever end. Erica wiped her nose and eyes. She stared at the phone, but she had no idea where to find Tayler. She picked up the receiver and dialed Christina, but the answering machine was the only voice in reply. Erica hung up. She picked up the phone again and dialed Tayler's office. It was after ten and the operator informed Erica that Tayler would be out of the office for a week. Again Erica left no message. The facts were clear to her, she had walked out of Tayler's life. How could she call Tayler and tell her that she was back and ready to pick up where they had left things on Halloween? She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

Life had no meaning to her without Tayler.

The notes of her favorite song - Tire Long and Winding Road- floated through the open door. Through her tears Erica smiled. Candace was doing her best to ease Erica's pain by playing her favorite music. The music was comforting, yet haunting. The piano arrangement, one she had never heard before, was intriguing. At a slower measure the song seemed more compelling and elicited more emotion. She went to the door to listen.

The notes drifted down the hall from the conservatory and not the living room, where the stereo was located. Erica swallowed and leaned her head on the door frame. She made her way slowly down the hall to the conservatory.

In the doorway, she stood transfixed.

Tayler sat at the piano with her back to the door. Dressed in a black silk dress that clung to her body, Tayler seemed at ease at the piano. She was an accomplished pianist, blending mastery with magic. Erica shivered, remembering the strength in Tayler's hands.

From where she stood, Erica watched Tayler caress the black and white keys. Her hands seemed to glide above the keyboard producing an ivory sound of tranquility and splendor. Unwilling and unable to disturb the moment, Erica listened and let herself float within the enchanting rhythm of the music. The notes calmed Erica's heart and filled her soul with rapture.

The room glowed in candlelight and was filled with a wintry fragrance of pine cones, cinnamon and candle wax. The floor-length mirrors reflected the piano and Tayler, but from where she now stood, Erica knew that Tayler had not seen her yet. An evergreen wreath hung on the wall. Beyond the windows the light snow had been replaced with heavier flakes. With flakes the size of quarters, Erica knew there would be several feet of snow by morning.

Tayler poured her soul into her playing, giving freedom to her emotional turmoil. As Tayler reached the climax of the piece, Erica held her breath. Beautiful chords rose from the piano, bringing tears to her eyes. Tayler stopped and laid her hands on her lap.

"Welcome home," Tayler said softly without turning. She looked down at the keys.

Quietly, Erica approached and placed her hands lightly on Tayler's shoulders. Unable to resist, Erica touched Tayler's hair with her fingers. It felt like the velvet of rose petals. She moved Tayler's hair to the side, bent down and kissed the warm bare neck.

Tayler stood slowly, moved away from the bench and faced Erica for the first time since Halloween. Their hands sought each other and the two women moved closer until they were enclosed in each other's arms.

"I didn't know where to find you," Erica said breathlessly. "I hoped you would call and leave a number, but when I got home there were no messages from you."

Tayler broke their embrace and reached over to the piano. She picked up a stack of pink phone messages. They were all from Tayler, a message from every day in November leading up to the present day.

Erica looked at Tayler for a very long time. She slipped off her black suede jacket and threw it on the piano bench. The white blouse and black pants she wore accented her height and slender body. She put her hands on Tayler's waist. She could hardly believe that Tayler was here.

"My life has been so empty without you," Erica choked with emotion.

Their lips touched timidly at first, hesitating, like the awkwardness found in a first kiss. Erica ran her fingers over the silkiness of Tayler's dress. It was so soft and pleasurable.

"Let's go upstairs," Erica whispered into Tayler's ear. Her voice was soft, yet, confident and strong. She walked over to the piano and extinguished the candles.

Tears streamed down Erica's face as the dam overflowed with emotion, years of denial, and grat.i.tude. For five minutes, the only sound that could be heard was her sobs. Tayler handed her several tissues. She wiped her eyes and looked at Tayler.

"I was that bad, huh?" Tayler grinned, her eyes filled with tears.

"I guess you'll just have to practice some more," Erica laughed placing light kisses on Tayler's skin. She shuddered feeling Tayler's fingers caress her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"Okay, so every day we set aside time for practicing." Tayler responded, kissing Erica's lips. "But, I'm still curious about something," she whispered. Her voice was hoa.r.s.e.

"What's that?" Erica bit her lip.

"I still don't understand why you ran into the house when it was on fire." Tayler's face was an inch from Erica's.

"I went in to get the crystal you've been wearing around your neck." Erica began to kiss Tayler's chest where the crystal hung. "It was a gift from my mother. When she gave it to me she said it had magical powers and it would protect whoever wore it. It was the last thing she gave me before she died. "

"Your mother was a wise woman." Tayler smiled. "Was she as beautiful as you?"

"As a child I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Now, as an adult, I think I'll have to reconsider." Erica nibbled Tayler's ear.

"Ana has called me everyday since I left Puerto Arista. She's worried about you."

Erica sighed, "I was so angry with her. I don't do well with betrayal and deception, but I understand why you and Ana had to do what you did." Erica hung her head. "For all these years, I turned to Ana for support, but then I walked away when it was all over."

"She understands why you left," Tayler offered.

"I'll call her in the morning."

"She won't be there." Tayler stroked Erica's cheek. "She and Gabrielle will be flying in tomorrow night to spend the holidays with us."

"Wow, you work fast," Erica smiled, stretching in satisfaction beneath the crisp sheets.

"Oh, on the contrary. I can go...very...very...slowly...if I want," Tayler taunted, slipping her hand beneath the sheets.

When Erica reached for her, Tayler flipped her over, pinioning her hands beside her head. "You tease," she growled.

"No, I just want to remember every detail, every word and every touch. Tomorrow will come, but I want this first night to last forever." Tayler ran the tip of her tongue over her upper lip. Then she lowered her mouth to Erica's, welcoming Erica with pa.s.sion.

Epilogue.

"No, absolutely not," Tayler shook her head.

"But I thought you'd jump at the chance." Erica placed another log on the fire, and returned to her seat near Tayler. The heat of the fire was in contrast to the cold, heavy snow falling beyond the balcony doors.

Tayler sat on the love seat in front of the fireplace watching Erica. The bedroom was quiet except for the crackling logs.

"I don't believe it. You don't want to cover the merger announcement even after my personal invitation?" Erica ran her fingers through her hair.

As Erica moved, Tayler caught a whiff of her perfume. The light, clean fragrance, mixed with the pleasant scent of burning logs, had a dizzying effect on her. But her heart was heavy.

"Erica, I don't want to cover the story of your departure. I watched you leave once. I don't have the strength to do it again."

Erica leaned forward and kissed Tayler lightly on the lips. "After Halloween, I roamed around feeling empty and alone. It was no different than what I had experienced during the curse.

With you in my life, I remembered how it felt to laugh. And I remembered how desire felt. The curse didn't seem so powerful. Time is as short or as long as we make it. No matter where I am, whether in Minneapolis or San Francisco, I know I can get through any obstacle as long as you're with me." Erica's eyes filled with tears.

The logs crackled in the background. Tayler tried to form her thoughts and emotions into words. "When you left Ana's that night I was devastated. For the past six weeks, everywhere I went I took you with me. I'll go wherever you go," Tayler kissed Erica.

"I'll have to spend some time out in California to work everything out, but I think it's important for you and I to be here." Erica's fingers lightly touched Tayler's face.

Tayler slowly exhaled, realizing suddenly that she had been holding her breath. Did "here" mean what Tayler hoped it meant?

"When I stayed with you after the fire, you didn't have a piano. Now you do, but you don't play." Tayler paused, and toyed with the pendant hanging from her neck. "Do you intend to move to piano to my house, or..."

Erica didn't let Tayler finish. "I want this to be your house ... our house." The look in Tayler's eyes was answer enough. They kissed fiercely, until Tayler broke away.

"Wait a minute. How could you be sure I'd come here tonight, or even at all?" Tayler's brow was furrowed.

"I didn't, but I figured that if the move to San Francisco didn't get your attention, then I'd spend all my lonely hours learning to play the piano." Erica said, gliding her fingers down Tayler's body. "But I'd rather play you instead."

end.