Chapter 9 – The Homecoming

"Are you okay Sonja?"

"Yes, this is a busy place isn't it?

"Yes. New Orleans is a big, fast moving city. Here, let me get the door for you. Would you like to look around the house or do you want me to come with you?"

"I think that I would like you to show me around and then I'll go by myself later Christopher"

"Well, this is the front room."

"Is this from our wedding?" Sonja asked as she picks up a photo off the mantle.

"Yes."

"Where is this?"

"Copenhagen. That's in Denmark."

"The dining room and kitchen are through that hall."

"This is my, our bedroom."

"You have so many photos of me in here. This bed spread is pretty."

"It's purple, your favorite color. It was a wedding present from Ms. Loretta. We were happy Sonja. We have known each other for eight years and spent two whole years as partners seeing each other at least five days a week. We were married for five more years and spoke almost every day in one medium or another. Our friend Tammy described you as my 'perfect match'."

"This is one of the guest rooms that my mother is using."

"This is Catherine's room."

"Why are the pictures down there?"

"So she can see them at her eye level."

"That's me holding her isn't it?"

"Yes" I say as we look of a photo of Catherine when she is three days old.

"We looked so happy."

"Yes. We were very happy. Catherine loves being with you."

"Where is she?" She asked looking around.

"She and momma are in Alabama. They will be back on Wednesday. I thought you might want some time to get a lay of the land in the house before you see Cate."

"And this is our other guest room. I had put your stuff in storage here in New Orleans and retrieved a few that I had seen in the photos of your condo. I hope this makes you feel a little more comfortable."

"I'm sleeping here?"

"Sonja, we talked about that in your counseling sessions. We decided that you would have your own room until or if you wanted to come back to my bedroom. It's up to you. I will not pressure you either way. I would like nothing more than to wake up to your smile each morning in my bed.

"Hey, I am going to need to go grocery shopping. Would you like to come with me or lie down and take a nap?"

"I think I want to come with you."

"All right. Let's get going before the rush hour."

An hour later.

We had just walked in when there was a knock at the front door. It was King. "I thought you might be tired from your flight so I brought you two of your favorite dishes. Hello Sonja. How are you?" King inquired

"A little tired" Sonja responds.

"Well you two have a good evening" he says as walks back toward the door.

We talked about an hour after eating when I saw Sonja stifling a yawn. "Let's call it a day" I say. "I'm sure we are both tired"

"Chris. Do you mind if I hugged you before I go to bed?"

"No, Sonja."

"Thank you" she says quietly.

"For what?"

"For wanting me."

"What do you mean Sonja? I love you. I want you here with me and our daughter."

"It's so confusing" she says as she starts to cry. "You have been so kind. I see all the photos and it's obvious that there was a connection between you and me and me and our daughter. I just can't remember. But at least I know one thing."

"What's that?"

"You are a kind man. Good night Christopher" she says as she reaches up to kiss me on the cheek then wraps her arms around my waist.

Now it's me that can hardly hold back the tears. I have wondered for months if my love would ever return to us and there she is.

I could see Sonja becoming more relaxed during the next two days. I tried to play music by some of her favorite musicians while we were in the house and the car. I had gotten all of our photograph albums out and left them in various rooms of our home at the suggestion of the therapist.

We took a walk around the block every day. Tuesday I drove past Gallier Hall the original City Hall where Sonja admired the beautiful Greek Revival architecture. It was indeed a beautiful historic building and I was happy that Sonja recognized that fact.

Tammy went to the airport on Wednesday afternoon to pick up momma and Catherine. I knew momma would be overloaded with a car seat and little one. Cate ran through the back door and quickly found me. "Daddy, daddy." I deciphered that she was telling me that she missed me. Then she showed me her airplane pilot wings and coloring book from the plane.

"Catherine. Do you know who this is?" I say as I point to Sonja.

Our daughter looked bashfully on as I moved over to the sofa with Sonja.

"Hello Catherine" Sonja says softly.

Shyly looking at Sonja her stare became more fixed.

I began to sing one of their songs hoping that Sonja might be able to remember a few words. Again to my surprise she sang most of the words. I watched as a broad smile came over Catherine's face and then she quietly started to sing the song. Catherine walked over and got into my lap while still looking at Sonja.

"Catherine do you remember who this is?" She nodded yes. "It's your mommy Catherine. She has been away for a long time. She loves you. She missed us a whole lot."

"Well let's go put your things away in your room and mommy will come with us". Sonja sat down in the rocker in Catherine's room. I took her baby doll out of the suitcase and handed it to her. Cate walked over to Sonja to show her the doll.

"What's your dolly's name Sonja asked her?

"Mary Jane" Cate responded.

"That's a pretty name for a pretty doll."

I walked down the hall for a moment and when I returned to the room, Cate was sitting in her mother's lap while Sonja was rocking the chair and singing their song together. I had to step out. Momma asked me what was wrong as I wiped the tears from my eyes. I said "go look yourself". She quickly returned with tears in her own eyes.

After dinner Sonja and I put our daughter to bed. "Good night my sweet princess" she said. We walked back to the front room.

"Sonja, why did you say that?" I asked with surprise in my voice.

"Say what?"

"You remembered that you called her 'sweet princess'?"

"I don't know, I just said it."

I held it together but I was so relieved to see that my Sonja was continuing to return to us day by day.

The first month passed by quickly. I came home one day the first week to find Sonja and Catherine in bed together at nap time. I stood watching them for a long time grateful that love once again was overcoming the difficulty in our lives.

Sonja seemed to remember the team the first day I took her and Cate by the office. She lingered at her old desk looking like she had a question that she couldn't quite remember.

Tammy had a photo of us all on her desk. Sonja picked it up and smiled and sat it down looking deeply into Tammy's face. Tammy spoke up telling her how much she missed talking with her and that she was glad to see her.

Knowing that we would be stopping by, Ms. Loretta found her way to the office. She was the first non-family member that Sonja allowed to hug her since her return to 'Nola. Ms. Loretta had been a role model and comfort to Sonja during her time at NCIS and helped reassure her during the time that she carried Catherine. I had to be honest with myself that I was both taken aback and relieved at the site of them embracing.