Oh my gosh...thank you all for a response. I was uncertain if I should continue this, but I'm grateful you all enjoyed the last chapter. I appreciate all the support. It all means so much to me. This fandom is too kind.
September 28, 1984
It's four in the afternoon, and they'd just seen Amadeus together. Sarah remembers the smile on Kyle's face when they first watched Temple of Doom. It was the first time that he'd seen a movie in the theater, and she could tell he was one hundred percent entertained.
Then, there was Ghostbusters shortly after. Sarah thought she'd never hear the end of that one. She wonders what he might have done with his spare time. She imagines his only concern was living day by day. Movies to a person that's lived a life like Kyle's must feel like a luxury.
"It wasn't as good as Indiana Jones," Kyle says. "But it was alright."
"It wasn't really my thing either, but I liked it for what is was," Sarah agrees.
She feels a slight cramp in her stomach and she breaths. Sarah hates being pregnant. For the past four months, she's experienced mood swings, erratic binge eating, and random dizzy spells that all make her feel so out of control. She's ready for this torment to be over if only to have her body to function like normal.
"Are you okay?"
She feels another cramp, and she winces. She takes in a deep breath and says, "Yeah, I just need some coffee to pick me up."
"Alright," he says. "Just wait here."
Kyle has been so supportive, and she's almost curious how in some far off timeline she managed to go through this alone. She's seen single pregnant women. She's seen the looks other women give them - the quiet little whispers and the tiny little laughs. Sarah loaths the self-entitled attitude these types of people held, because somehow they believe their life choices were better than others.
It's different when people see her with Kyle. The women that might have judged her in another life are so friendly. They tell her how great they look together, and they ask her how long until she is due for delivery. In another life, it must have been so much harder to go this journey alone, and she's just so glad she has Kyle with her.
People can be so judgemental - so shallow minded, and they do not realize how little it all matters. All of this will be gone soon, and most of these people are living on borrowed time. In just a little over a decade, most of these people will no longer exist. Perhaps it is easier that way - to just be gone in only a moment's notice.
She's getting emotional again, and she takes the coffee that Kyle offers her. He smiles down at her, and she forces a smile. They've already been through this emotional breakdown she's had about fate several times, and she just wants to enjoy one normal day out with him.
She sips her coffee, and she puts on her best smile. Kyle is the only person she has left, and she's thankful to have some support in the chaotic life she is about to endure. The soft breeze soothes her, and Kyle takes her hand in his.
"It's so quiet," Kyle says. "These past four months have been the best I've ever lived. It's just different. I can just exist and really just live my life."
She thinks of the time that he comes from. It is a day to day existence of fighting for one's survival. He never had that first day of school, a birthday party, or even a Christmas Morning with his family. She might be barefoot and pregnant this year, but she swears she'll try to make the holidays special for him when they finally come around.
"What did you do to pass the time?" Sarah asks out of blind curiosity.
"Well, there was that time John and I tried to make moonshine that I told you about. Sometimes we would play cards or we'd read old books. There was this time I found an old Playboy," he lowers his gaze and smiles a little.
She giggles at his statement, but continues to listen. She's just so interested in everything from his world, and she just wants to know everything that will soon come to pass.
Kyle laughs a little to himself and says, "John taught me to read. He taught me most of everything I know, and I am his father. It's still a lot to take in."
Kyle sips his coffee and continues, "Now, it's just so peaceful, and I could never ask for anything else. This is all I ever wanted."
Sarah sees the serene smile on his face, and she can't help but smile with him. She's been preparing for Judgement Day almost all her life, and she's just now recognizing how little she actually allowed herself to live a normal life. She's always had her guard up, and she's never truly lived till now.
December 25, 1984
It's the first time Kyle Reese has ever experienced a real Christmas Morning. It all feels so surreal to him. He thinks that maybe it's some kind of cruel dream, and he fears he might wake up in 2029 at any moment - far from Sarah, far from all of this.
But, this is not a dream. It is 1984, and he is living in a small apartment in the heart of Los Angeles. It isn't much, but it's all a combined construction and waitressing salary can afford. He appreciates it for all that it is. So many people in this timeline want so much. He doesn't understand the desire for a mansion, a luxury car, and all of the expensive items advertised in magazines. He's just grateful to be alive and with the woman he loves.
He likes 1984. He wishes that time would stop, and he could live like this forever. There are so many years before now and the end of all this. His parents talked of their lives before the war, and he can see why they tried so hard to cling to those small memories.
It's beautiful. Everything about life right now is all that he can ever ask for.
Sarah walks into the living room in a robe and slippers. She looks as exhausted as any seven month pregnant woman would look. She flops down next to him and smiles a little.
"Merry Christmas, Kyle," she says with a smile.
He feels a little bit bubbly inside as he recognizes that this is in fact his life. He leans forward and kisses Sarah. He pulls away, and all he says is, "Merry Christmas."
She smiles and she's a little teary eyed. "I'm so ready to not be pregnant."
"It's only two more months," Kyle puts his arm around her.
"Yeah, well those two months need to hurry up, because I am done with this. The cramps, the random kicking...all of it."
He pulls her closer to him, and she leans into his shoulder. "I wonder what he'll be like. I mean, will he be different now that so much has changed?"
"I guess only time will tell," Kyle says. "But, I think he'll be a lot like he was - will be - god, all of this time travel stuff makes my head spin."
"Yeah, I guess it's best not to think about it," Sarah says.
He does think a lot about it though. He's not part of this spec in time, and it's hard not to remember every single day that he's technically not even born. At some point, will he encounter his younger self farther down the road? How can two versions of himself even exist at the same time in the same timeline?
He tries not to think so hard. Right now, he should enjoy his holiday with the woman he loves. There are so many years between now and Judgment Day. Today it is Christmas Day in 1984, and he just really wants nothing more than to enjoy this day with Sarah.
February 28, 1985
Sarah has suffered hours of contractions and unbearable pain. She's been through many battles, but no pain has compared to the pain of giving birth. She swears to herself this is the only time she will ever go through this kind of hell.
The nurse brings John over to her wrapped in a plush blue blanket. "You wanted to name him Jonathan Reese?"
"No, I want him to have my name," Sarah insists. "John Connor."
He is so quiet and she holds him close to her. A few stray tears fall from her eyes. Kyle sits on the bed and puts his arm around her. It's the closest thing she's had to a real family since Pops, and she's never felt such joy in so long.
And, she realizes she feels human for the first time in years.
