After You

Chapter 1 - My Last Moments With You

I had fallen in love with someone I shouldn't have. Well, it wasn't that our love was forbidden but it was...complicated. There was a clock that we were both aware of that would end our time together. End my time. The perfectly straight lines cutting through the white surface of the ceiling began to blur as my eyes filled with moisture. 

Do I regret it? Lips trembling, I smiled. No, never. 

A single tear rolled down the wrinkles of my face and left a darkened spot on the white pillow. Julia's, Daniel's and Claudia's faces appeared in my mind. Their childish laughter, their tantrums, their teenage rebellions, their busy schedules, their promised visits, their small infant bodies in my arms, and now their own families...my grandchildren. There were multiple stains decorating the pillow now. Then his face appeared in my mind. Alan. 

I slowly turned my head over to look at the picture placed on the table beside my bed. I winced at the slight pain that spread across my side as I tried to rotate my frail body to get a better look. The bones in my body were too weak to allow me for any more movement that this. I gazed silently at the photo by my bedside. I was at the center of the picture in a wheelchair. The wrinkles on my face were more evident because of my smile. My son and daughters were on either side of me, each reaching for one of my hands or my shoulders. Then there was the handsome man behind me. Alan...

My blurred vision grew worse. In all these years, you haven't changed. I blinked, clearing my vision. Alan's distinct laugh resonated in my mind. God, how I love your laugh. Soon his voice filled my mind. 

**

"Do you think that just because you get older that I'll stop loving you? Have these past two years meant nothing to you? To me, they were the best years of my life. Every year with you is the best year of my life, no matter how long I live. I can't promise that these powers will give us a normal life, but it's a life I want the share with you."

**

How nostalgic...how long ago was that again..? I tried recollecting my thoughts. How many years have we been married now...?  For some reason my face seemed to be moist. I tried to lift my hands to wipe away the moisture but was too tired to make the effort. Instead, I continued to stare at the photo in front of me. Wow, such a handsome young men and women...and that was me? I don't seem to recall when this was taken...maybe I can ask them when I see them again or ask one of my nurses.  

There was the sound of the door opening and footprints as people walked in. My eyes turned to them. Ah! The people from the photo. Maybe this is my opportunity to ask them?

"Mom! What's wrong?!" The woman with dark hair said as she rushed over to my bedside. She looked quite young, probably in her mid twenties. Another woman with lighter hair stood beside her and also looked down at me with concern. The dark haired woman's fingers caressed my face and removed the remaining moisture from my face. 

Ah. I had forgotten about the moisture. Had I been crying?

"Are you in pain?"

That voice. 

My eyes turned to look at the handsome young man. It was the man from the photo...such a beautiful face is making my heart ache. "I am fine," I assured him. "Probably a bad dream." That must be why I was crying earlier. There was some pain hidden behind his soft expression. Perhaps he needed medical attention instead?

"I brought a doctor!" Another young man rushed into the room. He was also from the photo and looked similar to the man beside me. They must be brothers. 

A doctor was following behind him. "Are you feeling alright, Mrs. Nova?" 

Nova? Now that's an interesting last name and it's mine! I wonder who my husband was...I don't think he's come to visit me in a while.

"Mrs. Nova?"

I smiled. "I seemed to have had a bad dream. But, Nova...I'm not some kind of alien, am I?"

The handsome man beside me chuckled. "An alien queen in fact." 

My smile deepened. What a charming young man. I think I should ask him about the photo but before that...

"Have you seen my husband recently?"

It was slight but I felt the man beside me stiffen. The others also wore grim expressions. Don't tell me...

"Has he died?"

The man beside me took my hand and smiled softly at me. "No, he's not dead. Your husband visits you everyday but it seems he always comes at the wrong time. You always seem to be sleeping so peacefully."

And that's what's been stopping him? "Tell him to wake me up next time," I said firmly.

"I'll let him know."

[AN: I haven't written or published in a while so I hope that some of my past readers forgive me and join me for this ride. For newcomers, welcome! (: ]