The Science of Starting Again//Book Five

Chapter 6~Two Years Later

Third Person P.O.V

If the world had gone to Hell in that moment the pair wouldn't have noticed. They would've continued to state at each other like they were currently doing; Teddy's grey-blue eyes filled with shock horror, John's brown ones wide with surprise and weariness. No-one said a word but both could sense that there were so many that needed to be said, to be spoken out loud. Neither one was brave enough to start, though. Slowly John took a step forward, eyebrows drawn together in confusion as though he couldn't trust his own eyes. Teddy swallowed, licking her lips and shuffling half a step backwards, away from the swing, away from John.

"Teddy?" John said again, breaking the silence. The youngest Holmes didn't say a word, her mind still caught up in her nightmare and alcohol haze and the shock that he was here. She could feel her hands shaking- they always did that nowadays- but this time there was a proper reason behind it.

"Jesus, it is, isn't it?" John breathed, taking several more steps towards her until suddenly he was on the other side of the swing and they were only arms length away from each other. Up this close Teddy could see the new wrinkles on his face and smell the new cologne he wore, as well as a hint of a female perfume that could only belong to Mary. John, meanwhile, saw that there were dark circles under her eyes and a new scar at the corner of her lips and she didn't smell like coffee and chocolate anymore, she smelt like hard vodka and whiskey. Little things that each person noticed about the other, little changes since the last time they had laid eyes on each other.

"You're here," John said softly, his voice filled with so much wonder and surprise and longing and heartache that it made Teddy wince and nearly let out a sob. She choked it down, though, before replying.

"Hi John."

Slowly, carefully, John raised one hand to Teddy's cheek and- when she didn't pull away- rested it there gently, his thumb moving in small circles against her skin.

"Jesus," he groaned, a small smile appearing on his face. "Jesus, Teddy, you're back."

The youngest Holmes stated at him, eyes beginning to tear up. She had imagined this moment in her head so many times and now the day had come where she was reunited with John, the man who had taught her to love again. She still didn't feel prepared, still felt as though she needed more time, but he was here now and she couldn't change that. With a painful smile Teddy lifted her hand to his, touching it softly.

"I'm..." she trailed off, eyes downcast. "I..." Teddy's hand gripped his one gently before she pulled it away from her face, letting their arms fall. For a moment she savoured the feeling of his hand in hers, her mind drifting to memories of when it had fit so perfectly and how he would rub his thumb in circles against her skin. She could still remember the first time he had did it when she was in hospital after getting shot.

He never left your side. Ever since that incident he never left your side, and even when you left him he never left your mind. Teddy swallowed, shaking her head at the memories. They were too painful to think about but with him standing before her they were too hard to ignore.

"Let's..." John started, scanning the area around them. The playground was still empty just like it had been the first time they had come. "Let's sit down, I want to talk."

Of course you do, Teddy couldn't help thinking as he let go of her hand and took a seat on the swing next to hers. But in all honesty, I don't think I can.

"How... how long have you been back?" John asked as Teddy took a seat. He noticed the fact that she hadn't looked him in the eye since that first time but didn't bring it up. He knew how awkward she must feel, how odd. He felt the same, as well as sad and nostalgic, especially sitting in the same place he had been when the two had shared their first kiss.