They walked in a wooded area, holding hands and not speaking. The air was filled with the sounds of spring -- birds calling, leaves rustling in a soft breeze. Renewal, thought CJ, for nature and for us. They reached a clearing with a small pond and stood there for a long time. Simon wrapped his arms around his wife and sighed softly. CJ looked up at him with a sad smile.
"Nikki would have loved this place," she said quietly.
He nodded. "I was just thinking that."
CJ leaned against Simon, feeling, once again – it had been so long – the strength in his body, and in his soul. They would both grieve for a long time, but Simon was no longer running away, and he wasn't afraid to lean on her when he felt overwhelmed.
CJ pulled back slightly and looked at him. "Do you know what day it is?"
He traced the line of her jaw with a gentle finger. "It's our wedding anniversary." He answered quietly.
CJ looked up at the sky. "You brought us here on purpose, didn't you, sweet girl?" she said softly.
In the rustling of the leaves they thought they heard Nikki laugh. As Simon pulled CJ into a deep kiss, they could hear her voice, as clearly as if she were standing right there:
"I knew I was cool enough to fix things from the other side."