Almost Dusk {A Black Widow Story}

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

(Rose's Perspective)

When I open my eyes again, I am in the bathroom. The door is left ajar, a clear sign that someone has been looking for me.

I don't know exactly how long I've been gone, but I have a feeling I'm about to find out.

I check my reflection in the mirror; eyes bright, cheeks rosy and my hair slightly messy from the journey home.

The small green turtle is still nestled in my arm and I still clutch the pocket watch in my right hand.

I leave the bathroom in search of my family.

"Mom? Dad?" I call out.

I'm only about halfway down the hall when I get a response.

"Rose?" I can hear my mother call. Then two sets of feet come running.

Steve is the first one I see as he and mom rush out of their bedroom to meet me.

"Rose! Where were you?" My dad says as he picks me up and swing me around before setting me back down and bear hugging me.

Then mom runs forward and sweeps me up into her arms, kissing the top of my head.

"How long have I been gone?" I ask curiously.

"Only a few hours, but enough to worry the life out of us!" Mom shouts.

"I'm sorry" I tell them earnestly, "But you'll never guess where I've been!"

The both look at me inquisitively. I take both their hands and lead them to my bedroom where I sit them both down on my bed before I start with my explanation.

I explain to them my whole journey to the future and all the events that brought me back home.

I told them about Eva and Tony and Milton, everything.

When I was done, they just stared at me in silent surprise.

Dad collapsed back on my bed with an exasperated laugh, gripping his chest.

"Only my daughter would run into the line of fire to set things right." He laughs proudly, sitting up only so that he could ruffle my hair and laugh himself back down again.

My mom smiles too, "Well it sounds like you've had quite the adventure?"

I nod honestly, smiling all the while.

"But I learnt something while I was over there you know," I tell them, "And it's the importance of family."

They both look at me like I'm the light of their life and it warms my insides.

"I want us to spend more time together." I go on, "I miss the way things used to be, I want to play in the backyard together and have dinner together and do things together."

"I promise you Rose," my dad says, wrapping his arms to envelop me and mom, "I'm going to make things right, we are going to have our days together."

I hug them both, smiling from ear to ear.

"And it starts now." He says, slipping out from between us and getting to his feet.

He goes over to my bookcase and scans the many rows of books. Finding what he was looking for, he pulls the book's spine from the shelf and brings it over to us.

"Since you're all about adventures." He says as he hands me the book.

The book's title read 'Stuart Little' by E.B White. I haven't read this one in a while.

I smile up at him, his eyes twinkling with love.

Once we all get settled, I hop into bed with Glavnaya and rest the book in my lap.

Mom and dad lie either side of me in my bed. It's a little squishy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

In his hands, dad holds the small pocket watch. He admires it for a moment then slips it into his pocket.

"No more adventures without us, okay?" Steve bargained.

"Deal." I tell him.

"Will you read to us?" My mother asks as I open up the book.

I smile at her and dad. Things were just as they should be.

And I couldn't be happier.

"When Mrs. Frederick C. Little's second son arrived, everybody noticed that he was not much bigger than a mouse. The truth of the matter was, the ..."

--

I wake with a start, the room dark around me.

At first, I don't know where I am.

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness but I recognise the familiarities of my bedroom and breathe with a sigh of relief.

I am tucked under my blankets in my bed, the book on the bedside table and the turtle in my arms.

My dad comes to my room, standing in the doorway.

"Bad dream?" He asked.

I shook my head, "I think I'm just adjusting to the time." I smile sheepishly.

He smiles softly, coming to sit at the edge of my bed as I sit up.

"I'm sorry if I worried you and mom." I apologised again, feeling guilty.

"Oh don't you worry, we forgive you. I guess it only takes a moment of panic to realise how important it is to take the time to appreciate the people in your life."

I smile at his words, our thinking more alike than I could think possible.

"Maybe one day we can visit everybody again? Together." I suggest, giving my best puppy dog impression.

He laughs lightly and tucks me into bed. "That sounds like a good idea."

With his approval, I feel lighter than ever, as if all the trouble has float away like clouds after a storm, leaving behind nothing but sunny skies ahead.

"Get some rest," he says as I settle back into sleep, "It's nearly morning."