"Please. Ma," Nicky pleaded.
She had heard the cries, the sirens, the yelling of the guards. But slowly those sounds grew distant. The bright red light of the alarm washed over her, flooding her senses and transforming to a soft white.
Then all at once, everything was gone. Suddenly, she wasn't cold anymore, she wasn't in pain. But there was a deafening silence. No more sound, no more sight, there was nothing but darkness.
Slowly, her hands fell upon the soft fabric. Her eyes could sense a warm light glowing somewhere close by, but what drew her back to consciousness was the soft music playing in what sounded like another room. Her eyes fluttered open and looked around.
She was in a bedroom lit only by the sunlight pouring through a large stained-glass window. The soft fabric had belonged to a fluffy comforter. She was lying on a queen-sized bed, but whose, she had no idea. The house was not one she recognized, but something inside told her that everything was ok, that there was no need to be frightful or weary. She somehow knew she was safe there.
She sat up and placed both feet on the ground, the coolness of the hardwood floor enveloping her soles and wrapping around her toes.
She stretched out but noticed that the usual crick in her back wasn't there. She stood up and tested it out, stretching her back out on either side. No pain whatsoever.
She walked over to the window, running her fingers across the intricate pattern. Colors of red, blue, green, and yellow danced on her skin as the sun shone brightly through. She bathed in the light for a few seconds, enjoying the warmth and colors but then was drawn back.
Her ears honed-in on the soft music and something told her she needed to find the source. She walked over to the large wooden door and grasped the golden knob, twisting it and pulling the door towards herself. As she walked out, she realized she was on the upper level. The house, whosever it was, was gorgeous. Cream colored walls, hand-carved crown molding, and antique decor. The paintings on the walls were reminiscent of those she'd gaze at in books, ones she had wished to hang in her own home but never could, be it timing or expenses.
She continued exploring all the while following the sounds from downstairs. As she came upon the staircase, she ran her hand down the smooth wooden railing and descended slowly, taking in every detail with each step.
As she walked closer to the kitchen, she heard the music more clearly. The soft piano coming in before the stringed instruments joined it. A gentle duel between wind and string progressed before the pure, smooth voice rang beautifully in her ears.
Someday he'll come along
The man I love
And he'll be big and strong
The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay
She walked to the doorway and saw him standing there. His back was facing her, but he didn't have to turn around for her to recognize him.
"Sam," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
He turned around and greeted her with a gentle smile.
"Galina…I've been waiting for you," he said.
She walked in gingerly at first, but looking into his bright blue eyes, she found she couldn't do much else but run into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. He returned the hug eagerly and laid a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. She picked up her head and looked deeply into his eyes.
"How…how are you here? I thought you were dead," she asked confused.
"I am," he replied.
"Then that means…" she drifted off. The yard with Nicky, she had died. Images flooded her mind, but Sam saw her forlorn expression and pulled her back
"Yes, but it's ok. You're ok now," he said lovingly.
She had expected to be shaken by the news, to be afraid for what happens next, but all she felt was calm.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"We're home," he answered simply.
She accepted his answer with a smile and leaned into the palm of his hand as he raised it to cup her cheek.
"You were waiting for me?" she asked.
"I've always been waiting for you,"
"Why couldn't you wait there? Or move on without me? Why did you…" she couldn't say the words. Too much heartbreak and sadness, she didn't want to be reminded.
"Galina, you're my person. I couldn't have moved on anyone else there would've paled in comparison to what we could've had. I'd heard about your sentence, I'd heard rumors that you would never get out. I felt hopeless. I knew I would never get to hold you, never be able to tell you that I love you. I couldn't live like that," he said.
"I love you too," she replied with a smile.
He gently pulled her closer and grazed his lips upon her own. She felt her knees grow weak before pulling him into a deeper kiss. All those years, all the buried feelings, hurt and betrayal melted away with a simple kiss. Pulling away breathless, she went back to resting her head on his chest as the lyrics filled her ears once more. He gently led her around the floor, swaying to the gentle melody.
He'll look at me and smile
I'll understand
Then in a little while
He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won't say a word
Her hand intertwined with his and held on tight, afraid that if she let go for even a second, all of this would disappear. They enjoyed each-others embrace, warm and loving, until the end of the song had passed. Even in the silence, they kept swaying to the beating of their own hearts.
"Galina?" he asked.
"Yes?"
"There's something I want to show you."
He led her over to the kitchen table where ingredients were neatly laid out. Her eyes grazed over them and slowly she recognized what they were for.
"Chicken Kiev," she said with a chuckle.
"Well, I'm no cook, but I was hoping we could try and make it…together,"
"That's a wonderful idea," she said softly, as tears began to fall down her cheeks.
"Hey," he said, tenderly wiping the tears from her face with the tips of his fingers.
"Why are you crying?" he asked.
"I never thought that I…that we could have this," she said.
"Have what?" his confusion grew.
"Happiness," she replied.
He wrapped his arms around her in a loving hug and ran his hand up and down her back to soothe her. She pulled away to look up at him and he smiled and said:
"As long as we're together, that's all we'll ever have,"
She nodded and stood on the tips of her toes to reach up and kiss him again.
He'll build a little home
That's meant for two
From which I'll never roam
Who would, would you
And so all else above
I'm dreaming of the man I love