A few years went by without incident for the couple. Around eight months after the tragic events in LA, they had flown back to the city and visited Tony and Michelle's graves. It had been a solemn pilgrimage that helped them both to grieve for their friends. As for Jack, they knew that he was still in China but had remained cautious throughout the trip. They had no idea when or if he would ever be back in the States. Despite his unwillingness to accept the relationship, both of them hoped he would one day be free.
Morning in the middle of December and Mary Lynn found herself sitting on the edge of the bath, deep in her thoughts. She stared at the little white stick in her hands, both delighted at and scared of the possibilities. Then came a knock at the door, and she wondered how to break the news.
"Mary Lynn, are you okay?" Zachary spoke from the other side of the door. Even though there was little danger to them at that moment in time, the cover names remained. She had been in the bathroom for some time now, and he was growing concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied before hiding the little white stick deep inside the trash can. Memories of that day her mother died rose but she pushed them down hard. The last thing she needed was to be getting upset about that. Opening the door, she smiled at Zachary and left the decision for later.
The day carried on like most Sundays, quiet and peaceful. Mary Lynn had managed not to arouse his suspicions, even after her insistence that they take a walk.
Zachary had no way of guessing why she had insisted so much on visiting a local beauty spot. They had been to this hill a few times before. Whilst it was scenic, he could only wonder what had caused her sudden interest.
It's not the warmest or even the nicest of days for a walk, but she seems to have her heart set on going to the hill today. I don't know of anything special about this date or the location.
Standing on the hilltop, they both smiled at the view. As the sun set over the city, the twilight colours painted beauty on the skies. Mary Lynn looked at him before taking his hand and squeezing it. She tried dousing the rising anxiety she was feeling. Despite the nerves, she was sure he would love the news and could think of no reason why he would not.
"I have something to tell you," she began. She had wanted to use his real name, as opposed to the cover name, but decided to avoid names altogether. Looking into his eyes, she smiled before speaking once more.
"This morning, I took a test in the bathroom and it came back positive. I'm pregnant," she told him, and a wide grin grew on his face before he embraced her.
"I love you so much," he whispered. He felt utter delight at the news before memories of the beautiful dream surfaced in his mind. A wonderful scene of them together with their child, but he knew there would be one big difference. Unlike the dream, there would be no danger of invading federal agents.
Hours later, Mary Lynn had gone to bed but Zachary was still very much awake. He was sat in the kitchen, nursing a mug of lukewarm camomile tea whilst he explored his thoughts. A child would change their relationship but he wasn't only thinking of the positives.
I'm looking forward to becoming a dad, especially now the danger is far lower than it ever has been. Why, then, does something still bug me and what is it?
Then he realised what that something was. If he was to be the father of their child then Nina would be their aunt, albeit a deceased one. Was Mary Lynn okay with that? Not to mention Jack, if he ever found out about his grandchild.
She was so excited to let me know about the pregnancy, she definitely wants to be a mother to this child. Even if Nina would be their aunt. Am I overthinking this, seeing a problem that only exists in my mind?
Finishing off his tea, he decided that it would be best to leave the thinking alone for the night. Then, as he washed his cup, he realised something else. If she was okay with him as Nina's brother, she would be okay with their child as her relative too. A wide grin grew on his face. Yes, he was overthinking things for sure.
A few days later, Zachary was walking down a street in Newport News. He had been thinking hard about something and now he was putting thoughts into action. As he approached the shop that would help with the first part, he smiled and thought of her. He knew that she would love what he had planned.
Later that day, and they had returned to the hilltop. Zachary had been as insistent as Mary Lynn had been, much to her curiosity. The incoming night sky looked almost identical to how it had been the last time they were stood there.
Such a beautiful sky, it's as if the world already knows.
Much like she had done, he took her hand and squeezed it before smiling and kissing her cheek. He was as nervous as she had been before her own announcement. Getting down on one knee, still holding her hand, he took a deep breath.
"I don't care, I'm going to use your real name no matter what. Kim, will you make me even happier than I already am and marry me?" He asked, and a wide grin grew on her face.
"Yes I will, Alex!" She replied as tears formed in her eyes. He stood up and embraced her before a passionate kiss began. A much different place to where they had kissed for the first time all those years before.