Chapter 18: Her Memories

Kimberly opened her eyes and sat up to see Blake hard at work. She got up and pulled her robe on. "Sweetie, what are you doing?" She asked. She placed her hands on her son's shoulders.

"Sorry, mom, I'm trying to get some work done," he replied.

Kimberly sighed as she looked at her son. "Blake, you have to get some sleep," she insisted. Blake shook his head and Kimberly nodded. "You're going to get sick," she insisted. Blake sighed and Kimberly watched as he went off to bed.

Kimberly sat in the galley thinking about her children. She had a cup of coffee sitting in her hands as she looked at the ocean watching the creatures swimming by. Her mind was going back to her times with Tommy long before Kylie was born.

(Flashback)

Kimberly came to school totally drenched. It was a horrible day for her. She sighed as she went to her locker. She was trying to get her hair back into shape. "Kimberly?" A voice called. Kimberly looked in the mirror and her eyes widened to see that it was Tommy.

"Oh, no, Tommy," she mumbled.

She turned and put a smile on her face. "Tommy," she greeted. He gave her a smile.

"A little wet out there?" He asked.

"A little wet? I'm a total wreck. Can you believe I have to show Mr. Pedis my pep rally plans?"

She opened her binder to see that pep rally plans were ruined. "Oh, no! It looks like something I drew when I was three," she complained.

"Hey everything's going to be okay," he assured her.
"It's no," she mumbled.

After sending Bulk and Skull away, Tommy turned back to Kimberly. "Hey, how about I walk you home after school?" He asked.

"You know anything could happen," she replied.

"Hey, I'll take my chances."

"Okay."

After school, Kimberly was telling Tommy how it all started. "It all started last night when I had a dream about Rita being my wicked step-mother," she explained. Tommy stalled and shivered.

"That's creepy," he commented.

"You said. Ever since then it's been one bogus thing after another. I just can't wait for this day to be over."

As they kept walking, Kimberly didn't see the rock. "It's like I never know what's going to happen next," she explained. Just then, she tripped, but Tommy quickly caught her.

"I see what you mean," he commented.

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

(End Flashback)

Kimberly bit her lip as she remembered that day. She sighed as she swirled her coffee around in her cup. "Why are you up so late?" A voice asked. Kimberly turned to see Carter standing there.

"I couldn't sleep. Blake was up and then I couldn't get back to sleep," she replied.

Carter sat across from her. "Are you okay?" He asked. Kimberly sighed as she looked in her cup.

"Not really, Carter. I've been trying to get in contact with Tommy for weeks now. My letters are never answered. I know I could always trust one of my friends to send them to him and they tell me they do. I just never get an answer back," she explained.

Carter looked at her with a sigh. "Kim, have you ever considered the possibility of never seeing him again?" He asked. Kimberly sighed as she looked out the window again.

"I considered that possibility a lot of times, but I can't give up hope. I have to keep hope for my daughter that she'll one day meet her father," she replied.

Then she was brought back to the time she had first kissed Tommy.

(Flashback)

Kimberly saw Tommy practicing his karate and walked over to him. "They said back at the gym I'd find you here," she commented. He got off the rock he was practicing on and walked over to her.

"Yeah, I like practicing outside sometimes, nice fresh air," he stated.

"How are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm hanging. I'm practicing my karate and doing my schoolwork. Just trying to keep busy you know."

"We miss you."

"Nah. You guys have been a team long before I showed up. It'll all be back to normal before long."

Kimberly was silent for a moment. "I miss you," she confessed. Tommy then held her hand and leaned forward and they kissed. They pulled back and he let out a sigh.

"I've been wanting to do that for a long time," he stated.

"Me too," she giggled.

"Well, now that's over with. I guess the next question will be a piece of cake."

"What's that?"

"Kimberly, will you be my date to the dance Saturday night?"

Kimberly turned her back to him with a smile on her face. "Well? Kimberly!" He called. She turned around and laughed. She then lightly punched him in the shoulder.

"I didn't want to make it too easy for you. Of course I'll be your date to the dance."

"Yes? YES!"

He picked her up and spun her around, both were both laughing.

(End Flashback)

"You really miss him don't you?" Carter asked. Kimberly nodded and he held her hand. "Hey, we're always here for you, Kim," he assured her. Kimberly smiled as she nodded.

"Yeah," she agreed.

(Flashback)

Tommy walked over and kneeled down beside her unconscious form. He picked her up into his arms with a smile. "Hey, Beautiful, it's time to wake up," he told her. Kimberly opened her eyes and she smiled at him.

"I don't believe it...I must be dreaming...is it really you?" She asked.

"In the flesh," he replied.

Kimberly smiled as she hugged him tight.

(End Flashback)

"I should be getting to bed," she told Carter. Carter nodded and she stood up. Carter stood up.

"Kimberly," he called.

Kimberly stopped and turned around. "If you think of all the things you don't have, just think of the things you do have," he advised.

"Thanks, Carter, I'll keep that in mind," she told him.

She then went into her room and climbed into bed. She looked into the back room to see all her children fast asleep. Then she looked at the nightstand beside Kylie's bed. Beside Kylie's bed was a picture of her and Tommy during the Christmas Party.

(Flashback)

Tommy grabbed her arm and pointed up at the mistletoe. Kimberly giggled as she pulled him down by his jacket and kissed him. Once they pulled away, Kimberly looked at the man she deeply loved. "Merry Christmas Tommy," she told him.

"Merry Christmas, Kim," he answered.

"I don't know what would make this day any better."

(End Flashback)

Kimberly had fallen into a deep sleep after her last happy memory of Tommy.