Darling, Take My Hand

Chapter 7

Although she didn't want to, Theodora stood up.

"Who could that be?"

"I have no clue. Hold on." She walked over and opened the front door, and there stood Charles.

Oh.

Right.

Charles. Maggie's husband.

"Hello Miss Howells. I was wondering if my wife was over here tonight, as she's not home." Maggie got off the couch and walked over to the door.

"Charles! Whatever are you doing here?"

"Margaret! I didn't know where you were. Usually when you go somewhere you telephone me or you leave a note, I was just worried because you had done neither."

"Oh silly me. I must've forgotten. I am truly sorry for worrying you dear."

"It's quite alright. It's five past ten, are you coming home now?"

"Oh- Well- I" Maggie glanced over to Theodora and hack to Charles.

"Yes. I was actually just about to leave before you came over. I'll be home in a bit alright?"

"Alright." Charles then left and Theodora closed the door.

"Oh, Darling I'm so terribly sorry. I never would've guessed he'd walk over here."

"It's okay. But you should probably go home, right?"

"I should, but I don't want to."

"When do you want to meet again?"

"Does tomorrow afternoon work?"

"You know it always does."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Darling." Maggie walked over and kissed her on the cheek.

"Night Maggie."

As she walked back to her house and settled down to go to bed, Maggie's brain was running a thousand miles a minute. What was she going to do about Charles? She can't just leave and not say anything to him, but she can't be married to Charles while seeing Theodora. She knew the answer, she just didn't know how to execute it.

Maggie had to officially leave Charles.

***

12 PM came and Maggie was back over at Theodora's. She sat on the couch next to her, resting her head on Theodora's shoulder.

"I came to a very important decision last night."

"Yeah I know I was here."

"Oh, not that important decision!" Maggie playful hit Theodora's shoulder, and giggled before getting back to the news.

"Darling, I decided that I would leave Charles tonight to be with you."

Theodora's eyes widened and she immediately froze.

"What?"

"I said I'm going to leave Charles tonight."

"No. You can't leave him." She sat up and started pacing, as that was a little habit she did to try and calm her nerves. Maggie was confused.

"What's wrong, I thought you'd be excited."

Was she really about to tell her? She had to. She deserved to know the truth. Theodora stopped pacing and looked at Maggie.

"Maggie, I haven't been completely honest with you."

"What do you mean? You've been more honest with me than I've been with myself."

"I know, I know. I've been honest with you about everything. Well, almost everything. Okay, so basically. I lied to you, but at the same time I didn't. You might wanna sit down."

"Dear, I am sitting."

"Oh. Right. Sorry. The thing is, I'm not actually from here. I'm not from this time. Maggie, I'm a time traveler. I wasn't born in 1932 I was born in 1997. I live in 2020, I'm from the future."

A wave of confusion washed over Maggie's face.

"You're a... time travler? You're from the future? You're pulling my leg right?" Maggie tried comprehending everything she was just told. No way time travel was real, that was only a thing in the movies. But the more she thought about it, the more things started to make sense.

That's why her lingo was so different, that's why her hair was long and dyed, that's why she dressed so different, that's why she knew so much and why she didn't have a formal job.

Holy shit. Theodora really was from the future.

"I wish I was. That's one of the big reasons why I'm so different from everyone else here. And... that's why I'm moving. I'm selling this house and going back to 2020."

Maggie stood up and walked so she was face to face with Theodora.

"No..."

"Maggie, I am so sorry."

"No, you can't leave me. I can't go back to the way I've been living, you're shown me so many beautiful things."

She grabbed Theodora's hands.

"Please. Please Theodora, I love you."

"Maggie, I have to go back. I don't belong here, this isn't my time. I want things to be different so badly, but that's something I can't change."

There was no way in hell Maggie was just going to let her go. Even if it meant sacrificing so much, Theodora was worth it.

"Can you take me with you?"

"What?!"

"Take me with you back to the future."

"Maggie, I can't just take you back with me. You belong here, you're supposed to belong and stay here."

"I can't stay here. Not anymore. Not without you." She stepped closer so she could cup Theodora's cheek. Theodora lifted her left hand to rest over Maggie's.

"You won't be able to see your family, your friends, everyone you know and care about will be gone."

"That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make."

Theodora stared. Was she really about to take someone from the past into the future?

"Alright."

"Really?"

"Yes. Come home with me."