I'll Never Let You Go

Chapter Twelve

"Yet we met; and fate bound us together at the altar, and I never spoke of passion nor thought of love. She, however shunned society, and, attaching herself to me alone rendered me happy. It is a happiness to wonder; it is a happiness to dream."
- Edgar Allan Poe

Morticia and Gomez opened the door to the family home together. They stepped inside and were immediately met with cheers and yells of excitement.

"Father!" Wednesday and Pugsley shouted in unison. "Mother!"

The children ran to their parents and knocked them to the ground. They hugged Morticia and Gomez tightly and cried. Morticia and Gomez sat up and pulled their children to them. Wednesday climbed onto Gomez's lap, and Pugsley sat next to his mother and cuddled her. She kept both arms tightly wrapped around him. The whole family held each other and cried together. They were so happy to be back together once again.

For the rest of the day, the four of them were inseparable. They played together, ate together, and at the end of the day, watched a movie together. All the time, Gomez never let go of Morticia. He was always touching her in little ways. His hand on her waist, his arm around her shoulders, his hand holding hers. Now that he had her back, he was never letting her go.

After the movie ended, Morticia and Gomez tucked the children into bed. Wednesday had fallen asleep toward the end of the movie, but Pugsley was still awake. Morticia carried sleeping Wednesday into her room while Gomez tucked Pugsley in.

"I'm so happy you're home, Father," Pugsley told Gomez as he climbed into bed. "I missed you. We all did."

"I missed you too, son," Gomez concurred, with a sad look on his face. "I wish that I never had to leave in the first place. I love all of you more than anything."

"I tried to take care of Mother while you were gone," Pugsley reassured his father. "She was sad but trying to be brave for us, I think."

His son's words warmed Gomez's heart. He was so grateful that Morticia had people looking out for her when he wasn't able to.

"Thank you, Pugsley," Gomez whispered. He kissed the top of his son's head and turned off the lights.

He met his wife in their bedroom. He closed the door and they both breathed a deep sigh of relief. They changed into their pajamas, not taking their eyes off one another. Then, they lay down in bed next to one another. They stared into one another's eyes, completely at peace. Then leaned in for a kiss, but were interrupted by a scream from Wednesday's room.

"Oh no," Morticia sighed. "She's had another bad dream."

Both parents jumped out of bed and ran to Wednesday's room. Gomez turned on the light, and Morticia went right to Wednesday's bed. She sat down and pulled her daughter onto her lap. Wednesday wrapped her arms around Morticia and cried into her mother's chest.

"There, there darling," Morticia cooed. "Everything's okay now. We're back home."

"I dreamed that you were both gone forever," Wednesday managed to say between sobs.

"I'm right here, angel," Morticia reminded her. "And Father is here too."

Gomez sat next to his wife and stroked Wednesday's back reassuringly.

"We're here to stay, Wednesday," Gomez promised. "We love you, and we're not going anywhere."

"Here," Morticia set Wednesday back on the bed and tucked her under the covers. "Let's get you comfortable and then I'll read you a soothing bedtime story."

"Nonsense, Tish," Gomez interjected. "I'll read the story. You relax."

"You're so thoughtful, darling," Morticia gave him a coy smile.

Morticia sat next to Wednesday on the bed, and Gomez began to read an Addams Family favorite: The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe.

"The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that gave utterance to a threat," Gomez read aloud.

As he read, Morticia couldn't take her eyes off him. He was perfect, kind, sensitive, funny, caring, handsome, a wonderful father, and a loving husband. She didn't know how she could have gone on without him for any longer than she had. He was their rock. He held the whole family together.

Gomez looked up when he finished reading, and saw that Wednesday had fallen back asleep. His words were so soothing that Morticia had fallen asleep as well. Gomez stood up, set the book down, and turned off the lights. Then, he lifted Morticia in his arms and carried her back to their room. He tucked her under the blankets, then walked over to his side of the bed and climbed under the blankets as well. He wrapped his arms around her and was asleep within minutes.

Morticia woke to all of the familiar sounds and smells of an Addams Family morning. She could hear Fester shouting something and smell Mama's cooking. She turned her head and saw Gomez looking at her, a lovesick expression on his face. She reached her hand out and stroked his face.

"Thank you for fetching my ring, darling," she purred.

He pulled her close to him.

"Happy to do it, querida," he murmured. "I'm sorry it took me so long."

"Well, now that you've retrieved it," she continued, with a coy smile. "Where were we?"