THANKFUL

*by Meloira

Movement to his left caught his attention. His darling Rachel was sleeping soundly, oblivious to his state. She had moved in her sleep so that the top of her head snuggled under his chin and her fist clutched his pajama top possessively. Although he could stay with her this way until dawn, he didn’t want to chance waking her. Carefully, he removed himself from her loving grip and rose from their bed. Putting on his robe, he spared a glance at his loving wife and closed their door behind him.

He stood for a moment in the stillness. The house was so peaceful in the early hours. During the day, the Cory-Hutchins household was a beehive of activity. What a strange world he had entered when he’d stepped through the door holding onto Rachel with both hands. Of course he’d expected resistance from her family and the intervening months had been rough for all involved. But as the days passed, Carl sensed an easing of tensions between him and the Corys. Perhaps, given time, they could find the peace they all needed since he couldn’t remember the slights that had caused their grudges anyway.

Wandering through the hallway, he stopped at the entrance to the nursery. In the moonlight he could make out the sleeping forms of his grubs. They’d recently graduated from their cribs to a pair of mismatched ‘big baby beds’, as Rachel liked to call them. Most nights he would come in to find them curled up together in one bed. He could sit there and watch them endlessly, waiting for memories of them to resurface. Sometimes Rachel would join him and they’d sit together watching their offspring and talking in whispered words of their past and future. During his recovery, he’d never let himself believe his life could be as wonderful as it was now. All he’d known then was pain and frustration and the haunting face of a woman.

Making sure his grubs were covered, Carl continued through the house and to the kitchen. One of his first nights home, he’d lost his way and had spent several hours stumbling through the various wings until he eventually found their bedroom. But with Rachel’s help, he quickly memorized the layout of the house and could now move through the halls blindfolded if need be.

Once in the kitchen, he prepared his favorite tea and fetched some shortbread cookies from his hidden stash. He knew there was little need to scavenge in the refrigerator. Every time Alli’s new boyfriend came for a ‘study session,’ the kitchen’s contents depleted considerably.

With tea in hand, he pottered into the living room and settled onto the well-worn couch. Generally, the study was his personal and private domain, but he preferred the living room for relaxing. Settling in with his cup, Carl sighed. How easily he could have missed having the life he lived now with love and family surrounding him. Indeed, he would have nothing if not for Rachel.

Rachel was many things for many people. She was the cornerstone in her children’s life as well as someone others in the community looked to for guidance. She was everything to him, his wife, his lover, his best friend, and his savior. When his senses and memory had failed him, it had been her face he couldn’t forget. When it seemed as though each day of his life was progressing ever deeper into misery, her image had kept him from the edge of despair. She’d been in every dream, loving and protecting him. He could not have found his way back without her.

Even before his illness, she’d been his saving grace. Once she’d realized he was capable of loving her, his world had opened to new possibilities. So many obstacles had stood before them; it was hard to believe their love could last. But from the shadows of their pasts they’d created a love capable of withstanding anything. Now, everything was in place and they could enjoy their lives. He had much to be thankful for.

So immersed was Carl in his thoughts, he didn’t hear Rachel’s approach. She walked to his side and looked at his smiling, relaxed face. He opened his eyes to find her staring at him.

"Darling, what are you doing up at this hour? It’s terribly late and you know we leave for the clinic tomorrow."

"Ah yes, the clinic. For once, I am the prodigal son returning to the fold. I’m sure the doctors will be glad to have their star guinea pig back."

"It won’t be that bad darling. The doctors need to see you for this check-up and I would really like to meet them. Besides, you’ll have the children and me by your side the entire time."

"Are you sure you don’t mind missing Thanksgiving with your family? I can always reschedule or go by myself."

"Nonsense, I won’t hear of it. My children and their children can get along without me for one holiday. I don’t need a special day to give thanks anyway. I thank God for every moment he allows you and I to be together."

"They won’t be happy I’m taking you away again."

"Tough. Now, tell me why you’re up sipping tea."

"It’s the nightmares again," he replied, leaning forward to set his cup on the table.

"Another nightmare?" She sat on his lap, hooking an arm around his neck. "What was this one about?"

"The clinic. Waking up without a clue as to who I was or where I belonged. Then, I woke up in our bed and gazed upon your face and knew I was home."

"The days in the clinic were rough for you, weren’t they?"

"Yes, more than you will ever know."

"You’re safe with me now, and I don’t plan on letting you out of my sight again."

"I am safe, aren’t I?" He looked up into her loving eyes. "Do you know how necessary you are to my life? Without you, I would be worthless."

"Carl, please don’t say that." She placed her forehead against his. "It makes me sound like some sort of miracle worker."

"You are my miracle. You and the grubs. Without you, I would have never learned the joys of marriage and fatherhood."

"Step-fatherhood too."

"Please, don’t remind me," he groaned. "Perhaps they will grow up before the grubs."

"Dream on darling. C’mon, let’s go to bed." Rachel stood and held out her hand.

"It won’t do any good my love, because I don’t think I can sleep."

"And what makes you think I want you to sleep?"

Carl rose and clasped her hand in his. "Are you making me an offer, Mrs. Hutchins?"
"But of course, Mr. Hutchins. One you’d better not refuse."

The End.

Happy Holidays!

I did it. I wrote something involving the clinic, the operation and the amnesia storyline. I promised myself I’d never write anything directly dealing with it. Oh well, it could make a new series, do you think? Thanks for reading my stuff you guys.