Snowflakes fall from the clouds in a gentle, graceful dance. Bits of sunlight peeking through the breaks, create a sparkling, fairy dust effect.
"How magical!" Anet exclaims. Arms
open, she twirls, soaking in the winter wonder.
"Not that I'm averse to watching your sweet chassis turn for me, but it's freezing out here and we got this snow-Joe to build. Or did you plan for me to do it all myself?"
"Tommy! You're here!"
That boyish smile. "Did you think I'd snuck off where it's warm?"
The snowflakes' powerful sparkle dims. Anet sees she's standing in the front yard of Ma's boardinghouse.
"I'm back."
Tommy's laugh, "Welcome back. Now come help me with this snow-Joe. You wanted to build this for Ma, so come build..."
"I'm coming." She can't stop smiling. Stealing glances at Tommy as they build Ma's snowman. Is this really happening?
"Okay. Now for some arms. I'll see what the old oak has to offer, you get him a pair of cheaters and a kisser."
Anet watches Tommy inspect the oak for a pair of arms. She giggles quietly, scooping the glittery snow into a ball.
"These will do—! Hey!"
Anet bursts out laughing.
Tommy, snow splattered across his chest, "You think that's funny, baby?"
She laughs harder, nodding, "Yes!"
He tosses aside the snow-Joe's arms scooping his own snow ball.
"No- NO!"
"Oh, Yes! Yes!" he chases her around the yard. Fires. Misses.
"Missed me! Missed me! Now you gotta
kiss me!" she sings.
"Well, if those are the rules." he laughs. "You think this snow-Joe is gonna stop me?"
"Nope!" she laughs, taking the head. Throwing it at him, she makes a break for it.
"Oh no you don't." his arm hooks around her. The two tumble into the headless snow-Joe.
"Oh, look what you did!" she says, unable to stop laughing.
"Yeah, well, remember who the gentleman was who broke your fall."
"The snowman?"
"Me! I'm the one lying between you and the snow! Now, gimme my kiss. I think I more than earned it."
She doesn't think twice. Doesn't hesitate. Their lips meet.
The warmth of his lips on hers once again...
"I like this game." he chuckles. He makes
no motion to get out of the snow.
Anet takes in his features. Sunlight setting
his piercing blues ablaze like sapphires. Her hand rests on his cheek.
"Why did you leave me?" all playfulless faded.
"Leave you?"
"I missed you so much, An." His fingertips brush her cheek, "You haven't been without me for as long as I've been without you."
"I'm sorry." she whispers. "I didn't want to
leave you, Tommy."
"But you did." His thumb wipes her stray tear. "And you're going to leave me again."
"No, I won't!"
Sad smirk. "You can't sleep forever, Annie."
Snowflakes, glittering and shining bright in the sunlight, swirl gently around them. Sunlight reflects brighter and brighter. Her eyes shut for a moment.
Anet's eyes flutter open. The morning sun filters through the curtains.
She sits up. Allows her heart to take the ache.
A painful moment passes.
She pushes the pain away. Refocuses.
YOU ARE READING
Through Time Again
Science Fiction((SEQUEL to Through Time She Came)) "Our family was always important to the Maggios, Anet. In your timeline, we had managed to stay well-hidden. Something changed and brought us back out into the game." 2010 is not how she left it. The Maggio and th...
