25: I Will Love You My Whole Life

" zola i have some news"

"No"

"yes good, i think"

"no tell you tonite"

Cora recognized the familiar phrase "you drive me crazy"

"anche tu (u 2)"

"See you soon"

----

", Cora! I'm dying! What's the news?"

Cora was barely inside the door after her 7 AM - 7 PM shift. She found Zola wearing her Wake Forest sweatshirt and a pair of running shorts that revealed most of her toned legs. Cora loved seeing Zola out of her standard work clothes. It reminded her of the time they spent in Rimini. They were usually in comfortable, casual clothing or nothing at all.

"Zola, you look really good. Giving you that sweatshirt was one of the best choices I've ever made."

"Cora, stop stalling! Or you will not be seeing me in this sweatshirt again anytime soon!"

Cora grinned wickedly and shrugged nonchalantly. "Okay, that sounds wonderful."

"

"Okay! Okay!" Cora followed Zola to the sofa and they sat down together. "So, I think this is good news." Cora took a deep breath.

"Last fall, I applied to three different PhD programs and their affiliated hospital support service programs. Reagan in LA, Sloan Kettering in New York, and Duke in Durham."

Cora watched Zola carefully. She looked confused and expectant. "I did not get accepted into the Reagan program, but I've received an offer from both Sloan Kettering and Duke. So, I need to visit. Before I make any decisions."

Cora saw Zola's eyes wash with thought and her brow furrowed slightly as she processed. "So, is it good news?"

", you're ... me?" Cora winced.

"No, Zola. I'm not leaving you. But I would like to these opportunities. I've been looking forward to the possibility of 'growing' ." Zola stared into the space between them, nodding as she listened.

"Zola, Baby? I'll go visit first. I may not like either program. Then I'll make a decision only after The programs are a two-year commitment. I can get back to Austin easily from Newark or Raleigh. "Zo? Baby? I'm this with you."

Zola's head began a slow and slight nod. "So this would make you happy?"

"I don't know, Baby, but I'd like to see." Cora could see emotion rippling in Zola's eyes. She leaned in and kissed her lips, softly feeling Zola press into her. Cora pulled back just slightly whispering into Zola's mouth, "Zola, I love you. . We can work it out, I promise."

Zola's mind began to catch up with Cora's words. ", . I want you to be happy. You are everything to me."

"I love you too, Baby." Cora kissed her again, pulling lightly at her sweatshirt. Zola sighed at the touch of Cora's lips, tasting love and compassion. "Zo ..."

"Mmmmm?"

Cora began to place feather-light kisses over Zola's eyelids and eyebrows, lifting Zola's sweatshirt over her head. "Will you come with me? To visit?"

"Of course, ." Zola grinned. "How can I say no?" Both women were peeling each other's clothes off. "Can we stay with Matteo when you go to New York? I miss my (little treasure)." Zola slipped her hands onto Cora's back and smoothly unfastened her bra.

"Of course, but I'm making all the other travel arrangements. (okay)?" Cora tugged at the cusp of Zola's shorts, slipping her hand between the fabric and soft skin.

Zola gasped and arched her back, ". You lead, I'll follow."

----

"Dom, we're traveling first to Durham and then to New York in two weeks. Have you talked to Papa? Should I just call him myself?"

", Zo, I talk to Papa everyday. He's not budging."

Zola sighed. "I don't want to lose her. I don't want to lose my family. What am I supposed to do here?"

"I don't know. I don't know how to help you. Zo, if Cora decides to take the New York position, will you come up too? Permanently? Papa would love that."

"I don't know. I've thought about it, but I haven't said anything to Cora. I don't want to suggest anything right now. It's a little 'up in the air' over here. Cora's got to figure out which program is the best fit for her or if she'll stay here in Austin."

Zola sighed. " Papa would love to have in New York, Cora. Dom, if Papa told you Marie didn't 'fit' into our family and could 'never be,' what would you do?"

"That's not fair, Zola! Marie is my . We married in God's house."

Zola winced. "And that can never be for Cora and I."

"No, I doubt very much that the Catholic church is going to change its stance on that one."

"Will Papa change his mind?"

"No, I don't think he will. But, maybe if you're both here. You've got time. Papa may come to understand. The Pope might too, but I don't think church will ever change."

Zola sighed, exasperated, possibilities tumbling around in her head. She wondered how she could do it all. She wondered how she could be Basilio, how she could be Catholic, and how she could love Cora. She was at odds with herself and it was painful. "If I choose Cora, what will happen?"

"Zola," there was a warning in Dom's voice,"do you really want to go there?"

"I might not have a choice, Dominic! What are my choices? Give up Cora? Give up the family? Pretend? Be that 'weird single aunt'?" Zola's voice calmed with determination. "Dominic, I am going to live my life to please Papa, as much as I love him, and that has to do with Cora. Maybe it's time. I've been thinking about this for a long time. Maybe I should draw the line."

"Zo, slow down. Why don't we just touch base when you get here? I'll keep working on Papa. Marie and Matteo can't wait to see you. When we get closer, I'll set up a family dinner with Papa. Let's just go from there."

"Okay, I'll wait to see you in New York."

", let me know your flight plans and I'll send a car."

"No, grazie, but no. Cora's handling everything this time. I don't want to step on her toes."

"Really?! Traveling domestic?!"

"Hey! It's not that big a deal, (brother)!"

", you're right. See you in two weeks. (I love you)."

----

Matthew drove Cora and Zola to the airport. He was not entirely happy with the idea of Zola on a trip unattended for two days in Durham before they reached New York.

"Are you ready for this, Zola?" Cora grinned at Zola, vibrating with excitement.

"." Zola laughed. "I can't get over how giddy you are! It's adorable."

"Yeah, I kind of feel , it's exciting. It's even better to share this with you. To have someone like you at my side."

Zola grinned. The constant anxiety over losing Cora over the last two weeks was fading. She could feel the joy rolling off Cora. Zola could see now that she would do anything to make this work for Cora. "You're beautiful, Cora. I'm so happy you got this opportunity." Zola leaned over and kissed Cora's grinning mouth. " I will love you my whole life."