Every Last Minute (GXG)

Chapter Two - Take Me Back to Tbilisi

...Little did I know when I reluctantly opened my eyes that my life would change forever.

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I gasped and I could feel the air filling my lungs.

I can breathe again?

Have I returned from the brink of death?

Ugh, I don't want to get up.

It feels so cozy.

This warmth feels so nice.

"Isobel..." I followed the familiar voice and in a moment, I saw bright lights and my wife's form from the shadows seductively running her hands through her hair, eating me with her eyes and stealing my breath and the heat from my skin.

Am I in heaven?

Annika smiles for a moment, and I lose myself in her eyes. I let my eyes flicker to her lips, then back to her eyes.

If I were to kiss you right now, would you be surprised and would you never again fall for another? I thought.

No matter how hard I try... I can't keep my heart from loving you. It's so hard hiding it.

But is this for real? I have to check for myself.

Abruptly, I pulled Annika in and moving our bodies dangerously close, I shut my eyes. And when my wife pressed her lips with mine - it's sweet, gentle, and it tastes of my tears.

It's confusing, but it's not a dream.

I want to speak but all I can do is croak, "How did you find me here? Please, never leave my side - ever again."  I sniff and say.

My wife's mouth paints a soft smile and she nods once before folding me in her arms again. "My love, I was always here. I never left." But yes, you did. Because I pushed you away. I thought.

Regretfully, I remembered her other lover - "But Eva..." I reasoned.

"Who? You have to give me more specifics, Belle." I wanted to argue back and say, 'You know very well who.' But I was too tired to fight against 'Eva'. I know I always lose at this game.

Seemingly just noticing the different environment from the Clemenceau Medical Center's bedside, I changed the subject and asked, "What day is today? And where are we?"

She giggled rolling her eyes and replied, "Silly. It's Monday, October 29, 2018... our first night in Georgia."

Georgia. First night? Oh that Georgia! 🇬🇪

I know it's hard to believe, but I went back in time! How did this happen? I was definitely dead.

But how and why did I return three years into the past?

If I were to recall, today was supposed to be when we decided to genuinely try and work on our marriage. But instead, I ran away and went missing for a couple of days. Leaving Annika cold and all alone in the old cobblestoned town of Tbilisi.

Mustering every inch of courage I have left in me, I wrap my arm around my wife's shoulders and nuzzle my head into her neck. Squeezing onto her and holding her tight.

"Hmmm." I sigh, enjoying the warmth of my wife's embrace.

Carefully stroking my hair and caressing my sides, Annika voiced her concern. "Are you alright, Belle?"

I mentally prepped myself - according to my previous life, I would have left Annika by now. But I wasn't the same Margaret Isobel Nicholson-Valentine from another lifetime.