Disclaimer: I down own anything but the story and that was inspired by a friend
Monk paced the floors of his hallway. He felt like he was going to lose his mind. It was the anniversary of Trudy's last day in this world and he had no way to distract himself. He sank down in a chair and buried his head in his hands. So many memories… so little time they had together.
If Trudy had lived, would they have had kids by now? She wanted them—and so did he but he was more fearful. He worried that he would be a bad dad because he really didn't have much of an example. His own dad walked him when he was only a little kid. What kind of father would he be?
A gentle knock on the door was heard. He straightened up. He knew that knock. It couldn't be. It had to be.
The knock came again.
"Could it be," he asked himself and went to open the door. He was amazed to find that Trudy was standing in front of the door.
"OH MY GOD," he whispered and reached out to touch her. His hand didn't go through her.
"Oh MY GOD," he said out loud and in just a moment, she was in his arms again. He hadn't seen her in a year.
"How did you…"
"Adrian," she whispered softly, "I told you I would be back in one year—didn't you open my gift"
Tears streamed down his eyes.
"I couldn't," he said, "as long as I still had it is was as if you were still alive… which you are—which is all that matters"
"You're right," she told him, "It is what's important. There is nothing that matters more then you. Did your gift explain why-"
"It was a very complicated situation honey," she told him, "and a lot was at steak. I had to do this or it would have put us both in a situation that would have been irreversible. I'll tell you all about it one day when you're strong enough to hear it and I'm strong enough to talk about it. The only thing that matters is that we're together again. You were the only thing that got me through this year"
Adrian looked at her wide eyed and realized the same was true for him. It would be a long time before he finally knew everything that had happened that year. Once he did find out he would realize her love for him even more strongly. Right now it didn't matter. He didn't need anything but her!