Broken Handcuffs [III]

xxiii.

Two weeks pass and Leah hasn't shown any signs of activity. It was terrifying to Nicole and extremely heavy on April. She felt guilty for the part she played in Leah's condition, and when she explained her freak out to Lana it made things worse.

"That must've been a very traumatic event for her. It's brave for her to have even openly admitted to liking Nicole. I don't judge because everyone has their flaws, but you know what I mean as well."

Things were still good with AJ and Nikki, about as good as the situation would allow. Of course the doubts were there now, if AJ hadn't emotionally and mentally scarred Leah about dating Nicole then what would've happened? Would Nicole be with Leah now? According to April, Leah's been liking Nikki since she was called up from NXT. Considering they didn't have a rest period before that event and the Women's War, Nicole didn't know in the slightest.

"This was before the blackmailing and stuff. Leah was sticking around after the main roster left and she looked at you the way I do. I immediately knew then. That's why when I found out she was having an affair, I couldn't wait to keep her away. I just didn't go about it the right way."

Nicole visits Leah alone this time. It's after they film Smackdown Live in St.Louis and she gets on the first flight back to Florida, promising to catch up with the touring team and tells AJ to go without her. She keeps in contact with her girlfriend, updating her on Nacho and Winston but leaves Leah out of the conversation entirely.

"Week three, huh? Still not responding." Nikki starts her monologue while holding Leah's limp hand. "Your skin still feels soft. Guess the nurses are really looking after you." She smiles softly before sniffling, feeling the tears building. "God, there's so much we need to talk about." She exhales sharp. "There's so much I want to ask you, things you only have the answers to. Why did you pick now to have a coma?" It's a self-deprecating laugh that escapes her. "Am I bound to a love filled with unnecessary sacrifices? No matter what, it's always something to give up. I gave up my freedom with John, gave up my voice with April... what else can I lose for you? Why does love always require you to lose?"

"I love you Leah. I think I've fallen harder knowing how long you've liked me. Knowing what happened to you because of me. Why did you let her do that to you?" She wipes her tears with her free hand. "I can't leave April. I truly am bound to her. Heart and soul. But it kills me to even think of leaving you. These feelings for you are so strong that I don't know what to do anymore. My skin crawls just thinking of you, trying to leave my body and bury itself into your warm embrace. My heart feels like it's about to burst straight into your hand whenever I look into your eyes. I love you that much. What am I gonna do with you? Please wake up so you can help me."

She then falls into a silence, watching Leah peacefully rest. Five minutes pass when she decides to leave her be. After grabbing her purse and phone, she leans over and kisses Leah on the forehead before examining her facial features again and leaving. The next breath she takes lifts a weight off of her.
______

Three months pass and Nicole doesn't know what to do anymore when it comes to Leah. Stephanie took a leave of absence, the guilt no doubt pressuring her to do so. AJ's still champion and their storyline has been put on the shelf until Carmella's return— although the suits in corporate are unsure of when that will be.

Nicole was backstage for the taping of Raw this time, they had a Superstar Shake Up which was really a countermeasure to Leah's condition and the decline of the potential second Women's War. There was a brightside to the darkness however, that being that she could see her little minion Lexi again. It was an added bonus seeing how cute she was with Mercedes. She loved seeing the people she loves happy and although they did have a weird moment with AJ, Nicole knew she loved Mercedes too.