Long Time Running

by Foster, Hannah

  Hearing the key in the door, he looked up and smiled as Nathalie slipped inside. "Hey," he called to her.

  Nathalie returned his smile as she closed the door behind her and joined him on the couch. "Hey yourself," she replied softly.

  "Jack all set for his sleepover?" he asked as he nipped at her lips.

  She nodded. "They're going to get in their pajamas and watch movies. She's made caramel popcorn for them."

  "How is it going with Sarah?" he asked, tucking her growing hair behind her ear.

  Nathalie exhaled slowly. "It's going as well as it can, I think" she said as she linked her fingers through his. "I just need to be as patient and loving with her as she's been with me."

  Wrapping his arms around her, he softly kissed her. "Have I told you today that I love you?"

  Smiling, she gave a small shake of her head. "No you haven't. In fact you've been very negligent in that department. I'm feeling very hard done by," she teased.

  "That's terrible of me" he replied with mock indignation, kissing her again. "Allow me to rectify that." Cupping her face with both hands he smiled lovingly at her. "I love you," he told her before closing his mouth over hers, his tongue diving inside the velvety warmth of her mouth.

  Nathalie moaned as she deepened the kiss, her fingers curling through his hair. As they broke apart she grinned. "I love you too." Turning in his arms, she leaned back against him and brought his arms around her. "I spoke to Mylea today."

  "Oh?"

  She nodded. "I have a house there that needs to be sold and emptied."

  He dropped a kiss on her shoulder. "Does that make you sad?"

  "A little" she admitted quietly. "I have everything I have ever dreamed of here with you and Jack and Sarah but my life was there for a while and I miss it."

  She was quiet for several moments. "I'd...I'd like to take you and Jack to Mbamba. I'd like to show you both where I lived and meet my friends. Do you think-" Pausing, she turned in his arms to face him. "Do you think you would be interested in coming?"

  He brushed her bangs from her face and smiled. "Yes," he replied quietly. "I would really, really like that."

  In the last few weeks they had worked together at filling in so much of what she missed with Jack. Eric had dug out every single photo he had and walked her through it. Neither had been quite prepared for how emotional a journey it was for both of them. Nathalie was coming to terms with what she had missed and Eric was appreciating how much more complete an experience it was to share it with her.

  Her nightmares were becoming less frequent and he was getting better at articulating what he needed. They were finding a way, together, to put the past behind them. It wasn't always easy - there were still plenty of hurt feelings and ghosts to maneuver around - but what mattered most to both of them was that they were doing it together.

  For so long, each of them had stopped believing in a future. Unknowingly they both, though miles apart, were concentrating only on what was right in front of them leaving daydreams and fantasies of what could be to other people. But now, with each other, visions of a future were possible and that had given them both renewed energy and hope. They had found each other - they had both come home.

  She nipped at his lips. "In case you were wondering, I am ridiculously happy."

  "Me too," he replied, beaming.

  #

  Eric grinned as he watched Jack tackle his ice cream cone with abandon. Having just finished playing catch in the park, it had been Jack's suggestion that they stop for ice cream and Eric had been only too happy to oblige.

  "You're loving that, aren't you?" he asked.

  Looking up with a small rim of chocolate along his lips Jack nodded happily. "Chocolate is my favorite," he stated.

  "Mine too," Eric agreed, taking a lick of his own ice cream. "So, we've had a lot of changes lately," he began carefully. "I was wondering what you think about it all?"

  Jack shrugged. "It's okay," he replied.

  "Just okay?" he prodded.

  His son smiled shyly. "Better than okay. I was kinda scared that I wouldn't see Aunt Sarah very much but I see her tons. And....I'm really happy that you're my Dad."

  His eyes welled and he sucked in a breath. "I'm really happy that I'm your Dad too Jack. I love you very much." Taking a quick drink of water, he asked his next question. "How about your Mom? How are you feeling about that?"

  The smile on his face was unmistakable. "I love her," he declared proudly. "And I'm really glad she came back."

  "I know she's really happy to be with you Jack. You do know she loves you, right?"

  "Yeah," he replied as he took another lick of ice cream. Pausing, he stared at his ice cream and Eric could see the question on his lips.

  "What's on your mind Jack?"

  Chewing on his bottom lip he looked up at his father. "Is she...is Mom staying?"

  Eric looked at him and swallowed a sad sigh. As happy as Jack was to have his family completed, he knew that they had hurt him. The best of intentions had not been enough to protect him from knowing that adults, especially parents, are fallible. He wished that Jack had had just a few more years of believing the grown ups in his life could do no wrong. For now that he knew they could, he would be forever on the lookout for it to happen.

  "She is," he reassured him. "Your Mom is home to stay. Why do you think she might not be?"

  "I heard her talking to Aunt Sarah and she told her she was thinking of taking a trip to Africa."

  Comprehension dawned and Eric smiled. "Your Mom wants to take you and I to Africa for a visit."

  "She does?" His eyes widened in surprise.

  He nodded. "She does. She wants us to see where she used to live and to meet her friends."

  "How come?"

  "Well, you know how much you wanted your Mom to meet Stephen and Frankie and Rebecca? It's kind of like that. You wanted her to see what your life was like while she was away and she'd like to show us the same thing about hers."

  "Kinda like an adventure, huh?" he suggested.

  "Very much like an adventure," he confirmed.

  "That'd be cool."

  Leaning forward, he whispered conspiratorially. "I have something to tell you about your Mom - do you want to hear it?"

  The young boy nodded anxiously.

  Eric grinned. "I'm not complicated about her anymore."

  His green eyes - his mother's eyes - widened in surprise. "You aren't?"

  He shook his head. "I'm not," he confirmed. "I love your Mom very, very much."

  "That's awesome!" he exclaimed. "Does she know you aren't complicated about her anymore?"

  Eric chuckled softly. "She does and she's pretty happy about that too."

  Pausing, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He had been mulling over how he was going to do this and in talking with Jack, he knew he needed to be involved - he wanted him to be involved. "Listen bud, I was wondering if you could help me with something."

  "What?"

  "I want to get your Mom a present and I was hoping you could help me pick it out. What do you say?"

  "That'll be fun!"

  "Alright then - finish up your ice cream and we'll go look for her present."

  Leaning back against his chair he smiled as he watched his son make quick work of his treat. Everything was coming together and Eric finally believed, after years of feeling it was impossible, he could actually have it all.

  Chapter 31

  "I can't believe I'm letting you cook for me," Sarah mused. "I must have a death wish."

  Turning from the stove, Nathalie stuck her tongue out at her sister. Slowly and carefully they were rediscovering their rhythm as sisters. Much like with Eric there were still land mines along the road they occasionally tripped over but they were family and they found a way to keep going. Just as they always had.

  "It's an omelette Sarah, you're hardly laying your life on the line," she replied with mock exasperation.

  "I don't know," she said with a sha
ke of her head. "I have been on too many of your culinary adventures to not be a little worried."

  Looking skeptically at the omelette Nathalie tilted her head to the side. "Well, if it's really bad we'll go to Louie's and order a late breakfast."

  Sipping on her coffee Sarah studied her sister carefully. It had been almost three months since Nathalie had arrived unexpectedly in New York and while there had been more drama than any of them had wanted there had also been love, lots of it. Jack was thriving with his suddenly complete family and her sister, her beloved little sister who had been on the brink of disappearing in so many ways, was back.

  Under Eric's care she made a full recovery from her tumor and was finding her joie de vivre returning. There were even physical changes - no longer a ghost of her former self, she had easily gained at least half of the weight she had lost. Her hair was growing and her eyes shone brightly. It seemed like the miracle that Sarah had prayed for.

  "I love you Natty," she said quietly.

  Leaving the stove, Nathalie bounded over to her and wrapped her sister in a tight hug. "I love you too Sarah."

  They held on to each other for several beats before Sarah pulled back, laughing. "You're going to burn our breakfast."

  "Crap!" she said, sprinting back to the stove. "Okay, go sit at the table and I'll bring this in."

  Sarah headed to the table and waited for her sister to join her. As Nathalie placed a plate in front of her, she let out a low whistle. "Not sure how it will taste but it sure looks good."

  "Well, maybe my talents lean towards decorating rather than cooking?" she suggested as she took her seat.

  Cutting into the omelette Sarah gave her a teasing look. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."

  Nathalie watched through her fingers as her sister took her first bite and let out a hearty laugh when Sarah gave her thumbs up.

  "Hurray!" she cheered. "I have mastered the omelette."

  "You'll have to pay me not to tell Eric though," she joked. "Otherwise he really will expect you to cook."

  "The check is in the mail" she replied, taking a bite of her toast.

  She loved being back with her sister. It was as though she found the ground under her feet again by being in her company. Because it had just been the two of them for so long, there was no one else she could reminisce with about growing up or silly stunts they used to pull.

  "Jack is pretty excited about going to Tanzania" Sarah observed. She had been unsure at first when Nathalie suggested that Jack accompany her and Eric back to Africa at the end of the school year but for Nathalie it was the only way to close that chapter of her life and Sarah finally understood.

  "Yes. Of course I think he's more excited about the plane than going to Mbamba but he's eight and a boy." Taking a sip of her coffee, she eyed her sister carefully. "So we'll be gone for about 5 weeks and I just wondering if you...will you be keeping Drew company? I'd hate to think of him being lonely."

  Choking on her toast, Sarah's cheeks burned brightly. Andrew had taken amazing care of her the night she showed up at his apartment. He had been tender and reassuring, loving even. They had seen each other several times since but despite him wanting more she still kept him at arm's length.

  "I am sure Andrew won't lack for company."

  Arching an eyebrow at her sister's response, Nathalie shrugged. "He seems to have reformed his ways. He spends so much time at our place I don't know when he would have the time to see other women."

  Their eyes met and as Nathalie silently challenged her, Sarah gave a small shake of her head, letting her know the subject was off limits.

  Exhaling slowly, Nathalie reached under the table and pulled out a small box wrapped in gold paper with a bright red ribbon adorning it. Getting up from her chair she moved beside Sarah and pushed the box towards her.

  "What's this?" she asked, fingering the ribbon.

  "Well unless you have x-ray vision you're going to have to open it and see."

  Rolling her eyes at her sister's remark, Sarah carefully unfurled the bow and pried the lid off the box. She let out a small gasp at the first glint of the gold locket.

  "Open the locket," Nathalie encouraged.

  With a slightly shaky hand, Sarah popped open the locket and felt her eyes well with tears as she was greeted by two pictures - one of Nathalie and one of Jack.

  "Natty," she whispered in wonder.

  "You saved us," Nathalie told her emphatically. "You saved us both. By loving us and caring for us and doing whatever it took you made sure that we were both okay. Sarah, you are the most amazing person I know and I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean to me."

  Swiping at a tear, she smiled. "This is the most beautiful gift ever."

  Throwing her arms around her sister, she hugged her. "I love you Sarah."

  #

  "How was breakfast?" Eric asked as they strolled along hand in hand through the park; Jack ran ahead of them bouncing his basketball.

  "Well I didn't poison her so I consider it a success!" she laughed.

  Chuckling, her brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. They walked along the pathway looking for the perfect picnic spot. It had been Jack's suggestion to have dinner outside and Eric had arranged for a picnic basket, picking it up on his way from work.

  "Jack asked me if he was going to see an elephant when we go to Tanzania."

  "Well we didn't have any wandering around the village but we should be able to arrange for a Safari of some kind. How about you?" she asked. "Any sights you want to see while we're there?"

  Leaning in, he nuzzled her cheek. "You, naked, in the moonlight." He laughed as he watched her cheeks burn brightly. "My, my Doctor Grant, you have become quite the shy girl."

  "Not shy," she protested jokingly. "Just intrigued."

  "Over here!" Jack yelled, having spotted a big tree. "We can have our picnic here!"

  "Okay buddy" Eric called back. "We'll be right there."

  Nathalie shook her head. It never ceased to amaze her how her heart would beat a little faster, her skin would be warmer every single time she watched Eric and Jack together. Eric was a great father. For someone who had worried about his ability to love a child or to be the support they needed, he excelled at it. It had never been easy for him to tell people he loved them, she knew the words often lay unspoken on his tongue but since their reunion he had been so free with the words both to her and their son and it had moved her in unexpected ways.

  As they joined Jack, Eric set the basket down and while Nathalie retrieved the blanket from her knapsack. She spread it out along the ground before sitting down, leaning against the tree. Eric unpacked the basket and poured them each a glass of wine and a glass of grape juice for Jack before joining her against the tree.

  "So Jack," Nathalie, "tell me how school was."

  The young boy climbed into his mother's lap and leaned against her, sighing happily. He was an affectionate boy who took every opportunity he could to be near his parents.

  "It was okay. I get to do show 'n tell next week."

  "Oh? What are you going to bring?" Eric asked, passing a piece of cheese to Nathalie.

  "Drew," he replied easily, taking a sip from his juice.

  Both adults laughed lightly. "Buddy, you're bringing Drew for show and tell?" Eric asked.

  He nodded. "Drew said he would bring in a real brain and explain it to us and that is way cooler than what Davey brought in today."

  Softly stroking his hair, Nathalie dropped a kiss on his forehead. "What did Davey bring in?"

  "His iguana."

  Eric nodded sagely. "I have to agree with Jack. Drew and a real brain are way cooler than an iguana."

  Shaking her head, Nathalie smiled. "You're all just a bunch of little boys, aren't you?"

  Stealing a kiss, Eric waggled his eyebrows. "And that's why you love us."

  "God help me," she sighed. "I do love you - all of you."

  Jack turned to his father and gave h
im a hopeful look. "Is it time?"

  He shook his head. "Not yet - we'll eat first and then it'll be time."

  Watching the exchange between the two, Nathalie narrowed her eyes. "And just what are the two of you up to?" she queried.

  "Nothing Mom," Jack demurred, "just guys' stuff."

  "Yeah Mom," Eric mimicked. "Just guys' stuff."

  Rolling her eyes, she took a drink from her wine. The three of them chatted easily - laughing and joking with each other - each of them finally sure of their place in the family.

  Nathalie, leaning her head against Eric's shoulder, was finally able to look back on some of the most difficult moments of her past and not quake. While the memories of those moments could still be felt, their power over her was greatly reduced. She was healing and she was healing because her son loved her and Eric loved her.

  Having finished their dinner, Jack turned to his father and whispered loudly. "How about now? Is it time now?"

  Smiling, Eric nodded. "Yes little man, it's time now. Do you know where it is?"

  His green eyes danced happily as he nodded. Getting to his feet he walked over to the picnic basket and reaching inside, pulled out a small box. Trying to keep it hidden from his mother's curious gaze, he tucked it against his side and looked at his father.

  "Should I open it?"

  "I think that would be a good idea," he whispered.

  Jack pried the box open and then hid it behind his back as he turned to his mother. "Mom?"

  Amused by the attempt at subterfuge, Nathalie grinned. "Yes Jack?"

  "We have a question for you."

  "Oh? What kind of question?"

  Eric curled his fingers through hers and dropped a kiss to her shoulder.

  "Dad and I love you very much," he told her seriously.

  Her eyes shimmered as she looked from one to the other. "And I love you both very much too."

  "And," he carried on, "we're really happy that you came back AND that you're staying."

  "Me too" she reaffirmed.

  Stepping in front of her, he brought the box from behind his back and held it out to her. She gasped at the diamond that sparkled in the last vestiges of sunlight. "And so me and Dad were wondering if you would marry us?"