B/K: Thinking of You 5/5
Last section
Looking over at Karen I don’t think I have ever seen her so much at peace. Its 1:30 in the morning and we’re in bed. She’s sleeping, I’m not. I rarely get to watch her sleep but enjoy it immensely when I do. Its as if all her worry is gone and all that is left is her innocent self.
The windows in our bedroom are open allowing a cool breeze to enter the room and although its summer I still reach for the blanket to cover her up. I place a gently kiss on her shoulder and think of how lucky I am.
It has been six months since her return from Washington and things could not be better. In fact, I think that life is perfect. It didn’t take long for us to sell both the house in L.A and her apartment in D.C. We already owned this country house out here in Vermont and after the events of that day we decided that this is where we belonged; away from our previous lives and much closer to family. It also didn’t take long for us to fall back into our comfortable routine. Much sooner than I had expected after having nearly two months a part but I take this as a sign that we were meant to be together.
Though life in Vermont is great I often wonder about those we left behind. In L.A there is CTU under the direction of Nadia. She is strong though sometimes unsure but she needn’t worry she will do just fine. Doyle ended up being blind in both eyes which is unfortunate for a young man with so much potential. Thankfully he was promoted to an advisory position and not just disposed of like some damaged agents. Chloe and Morris are expecting their first child in just a few months and while I am very happy for the both I am still having difficult imagining Chloe as a mother. We attended Milo’s funeral as well as Curtis’, a sad reminder of the tragedies that can occur. Audrey is recuperating well under the watchful eye of her father. Last time I spoke to him she was able to form sentences and recognize people this is a step in the right direction. In Washington Vice President Daniels was made President and Tom Lennox was made National Security Advisor.
No has heard from Jack, not even Chloe. I find this strange but remember my words to Nadia and relax slightly. When Jack has healed and is ready to enter the world again he will find us and until then we must let him be.
Karen stirs and I wait to see if she will open her eyes. When she doesn’t, I lean over and gently kiss her on the lips. She is still sleeping but a small smile forms which melts my heart. I love our life here and I am glad we left L.A. Now that I know how perfect life can be I would never go back. Our marriage is stronger than ever and I am not going to let anything from our past ever ruin that. For the rest of our life she is my number one priority.
I am brushing her hair off her face with a smile when I hear a noise come from outside. It sounded like something walking along our large, wrap around porch. This wouldn’t be the first time an animal has walked onto our property. A risk we took when we bought a house on farmland.
I decide to go investigate before whatever it is decides to crawl through the open window. I move slowly as not to wake Karen and scare off the night intruder. I grab a flashlight from the night stand and make my way to the French doors that lead from our bedroom to the backyard. Before opening them I take one last look at Karen who hasn’t moved. As I walk onto the porch I notice the shadow of a figure that is most definitely not an animal. I move closer and the creak in the floors gives away my presence. The figure whips around to face me and I nearly drop the flashlight.
I stand there in shock and the person walks into the light provided by the moon.
“Hi Bill,” he says quietly.
“Jack-”