Author's Note: I had a serial experience one day on my trip. I was sitting in a small book store debating the archetypes of the book Of Mice and Men with my cousin (I'm convinced it's from the Bible: Cane and Able.) I looked out the window and saw a blond woman.

She turned around and I noticed her blue eyes. There was a little girl standing next to her holding her leg and she looked identical to the older woman. It was mind blowing.

But then a tall man with brown hair and eyes walked out of the ice cream shop and handed the little girl a cone. He then said something to the older woman and she laughed and then they kissed and started to walk away.

I wanted to cry out to them (Lily! Oliver! Beatrix!). Just to see if they would turn and look at me and wave. I sat there wide eyed and laughing. My cousin thinks I've finally lost it. When she asked what was wrong I simply told her while shaking my head: "Those damn Okens."

Music: Andrew Bird- Scythian Empires, Lull, Heretics. Sufjan Stevens- Casimir Pulaski Day

….

(November 6, 2034 Lily/Oliver: 43 and Beatrix: 8)

OLIVER: I'm dreaming. There's a fog looming over me. I can't see and I can't move. Something is holding me back, its grip tight and unpleasant. I shake my head and the white fog slowly pulls away. I take in my surroundings slowly.

The grass is black and wavering in the wind. There is a large tree planted dead center of the field. Its dark brown branches sit as hands high up in the air holding something that resembles a clock.

The sky is red. I try to move again but the arms that hold me pull me back. I'm barefoot and wearing my suit from Jake and Miley's wedding. Yellow waves spring from out of the tree. It's so bright that it burns my eyes.

The waves are golden like the sun. But when the waves reach me it tickles my nose, it's hair. It smells sweet like late spring rain. I close my eyes and the hair brushes against my cheeks. I hear a voice whisper my name.

I open my eyes and see Lily standing in front of me. She has been crying. I try and reach for her but once again I'm trapped. "You can walk?" I ask.

She doesn't answer me. She just keeps standing very still and letting tears pour form her eyes. "What are we waiting for?" I question looking around. She turns and points to the tree.

It makes a loud dong as the clock's hands strike twelve. The ground shakes and Lily cries out for me. I thrash and squirm under the arms wrapped around me. "LILY! LILY!" The earth opens and she is pulled under.

The sky cracks and blue pours into the red. Colors are swirling together. I finally free myself from the arms that bound me. Lily's piercing screams surround me, but I cannot find her. I look up and come face to face with the person holding me back it-

I wake up in a cold sweat. Lily is turned over sleeping, her outline moving up and down with each breath. I wipe my face and run my hands over my small beard. It's so dark in the room that fear finds it's way crawling under my skin.

I feel like a little kid again, looking for a nightlight. I was always terrified of the dark as a child. I would wake up screaming about the monsters under my bed or in my closet. The strangest part was one night when Lily slept over. We were fairly young and I woke up crying but she didn't laugh. She held my hand and calmed me down. Maybe that was the night I fell in love with her. It just took many years to register those feelings.

I get up from the bed and walk into the bathroom. I sit on the edge of the tub and try to calm myself down. "Oliver?"

My head snaps up. Lily is sitting up in bed. I put my head back down and stare at my feet. "Hey." I say.

"You ok?" She asks worried. "Please come back to bed."

"It was just a dream. I want to sit up for a minute." I tell her. I look up and see her face shinning in the small bathroom light. She frowns and her eyes look very melancholy. "I want to hug you." She informs me.

I get up and slide back into the bed with her. She rubs my back and holds my head to her chest. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Was it the monsters?"

"…Yes."

(November 8, 2034 Lily/Oliver: 43 and Beatrix: 8)

LILY: I'm in the bathtub. It's late at night and Beatrix has already been kissed goodnight. The tub is full with my lavender scented bubbles. My hair is tied up in a loose bun, I'm not in the mood to spend an hour drying it and combing it tonight.

Music is playing on the radio, something old, something I can't quiet place. The bathroom door opens. I open my eyes and smile at Oliver.

"Bonjour le chéri." He says in his perfect French accent.

"Care to join?" I ask gesturing to the tub. He smirks and sheds his shirt, pants, and underwear. I wait as he dips one of his toes into the steaming water. Then he slowly slides in, sitting across from me.

"Hi." I whisper.

"You look beautiful." He says; his face dead serious. I laugh and he blushes and starts to play with the bubbles. He makes himself a long bubbly beard and grins. I splash a little water his way.

He shakes his head fast back and forth reminding me of a dog. The water splatters on me and I giggle. He leans forward and gives me a peck on the lips. He reaches for the soap and picks one of my leg up and begins washing my feet.

"I like your toes." He says randomly and I thank him. We sit together touching, kissing. I like running my fingers through his hair. He nuzzles his cheek against my wrist while I tickle his ear.

There is a knock on the door. "Mom?"

I can tell from her voice that it's older Bee. I smile at Oliver and he rolls his eyes. "Yes?" Oliver answers running his warm hand down my neck.

"Are you guys decent?" She asks back and I can tell she is probably smirking.

"Hold on!" I yell back. Oliver gets up and soap bubbles begin sliding down his legs and chest. I have a sudden wild teenage thought. I want to pin him somewhere, anywhere and press myself fully against his naked body. I want to smell that lavender soap on his skin…

Oliver grabs two towels. One he wraps around his waist and another he sets on the sink counter. He walks over and lifts me out of the tub. I take this moment to smell his neck. I kiss it quickly as Oliver sets me down on the counter.

He drains the tub and wraps me up in a towel. He's so good to me. How in the hell did I get so lucky?

Oliver opens the door and I see Beatrix standing just outside the door waiting. She's wearing Oliver's old long flannel shirts. Oliver places me on the bed. I watch him pick out our pajamas for a moment before turning my attention to Beatrix.

Bee sits down next to me and frowns. "Do you have any information since our last visit?"

"How old are you?" I ask calmly.

"Thirty-two." She says quickly. "Now information." It's a demand, not a suggestion.

"October 27, 1992 in the woods." I reply dryly.

"Woods? What woods?" She asks puzzled.

I shrug. "Got me. I have no idea."

I don't want to talk about this. I'm tired. I just want to spend time with Oliver. I want to play with Beatrix as a child and lounge in the living room while reading a good book. I don't want to talk about death. Not now, not here.

Oliver places my green pajamas on the bed. He is already dressed in his white t-shirt and blue boxers. He steps back and has his thinking face on. His brow pulls together and his lips form into a perfectly straight line.

"Woods… woods…" He whispers to himself. "Lily! The woods! Our woods!"

I tilt my head to the side and stare at him. "Oliver, babe, I don't remember any wo-" I stop.

When we were younger there was a small wooded area just out in our backyard. It was beautiful. But it was torn down to make room for more housing. Oliver and I cried together that day. Our tree house was ripped down which is one of the many reasons we made that memory box in the park.

Oliver and I have secrets hidden all over that town. "Okay so where can I find this place? Mom do you know how it happens?" Beatrix asks not taking her eyes off of me.

"Beatrix! Do you remember our last conversation? I told you to stop. Cindy has something for you. I want you to stop traveling. I know you want to save me but you're killing yourself in the process."

Oliver slams a fist onto our dresser. "Damn it Lily!" He growls. Both Beatrix and I look at him. His jaw is tight and his teeth are clenched together. "She's trying to save you. Don't you want to be saved?"

He looks at me with his sad little boy eyes and I notice that his hands are shaking. "Oliver look at your daughter! Look at what's happening! She's withering away and it only takes one travel, one time and she could end up like me!" I point to my legs. "… Or worse. I love you Oliver but I will not be the cause of my daughter's death!"

Oliver slumps down against the wall. He's torn between the two of us. But he doesn't have to be, I've already chosen.

Beatrix takes my hands. "Mom… please… just please okay? If you could only see what it's like. I don't want that future. I don't want dad to loose his spark…"

I swallow hard. "… A shot to the chest."

"Thank-you." She breaths and then disappears.

(July 13, 2056 Lily: 43, Oliver: 65 and Beatrix: 30)

LILY: I was eating breakfast with Oliver just a minute ago. He was poking at his eggs and I was buttering my toast. Now I'm in a place I've never seen before. The floor is cool and there are many windows.

"Beatrix! I'm sorry okay! I mean I know I've really screwed things up but you mean the world to me. And if I have to wait years and years for you to go back to the girl I once knew then so be it!"

I look up and see a very unfamiliar face. He looks very surprised and lets out an "Oh…"

"Hello I'm Lily." I say. "Could I have some clothes?"

"Mrs. Oken! Shit! I mean shoot! I'm so sorry I thought you were… well that doesn't matter!"

This man is very clumsy and unsure. He runs out of the room and comes back seconds later and throws me a shirt, and matching shorts. He turns around. I slip into the shirt with ease.

"I need some assistance."

He looks at me and I imagine a question mark forming above his head like a cartoon. "I need you to help me put these on." I hold out the shorts.

Timidly the man picks me up and places me in a chair. He slowly picks up my legs and slides them into the shorts. I know this is embarrassing for him. "Thank-you." I say once we're done. He nods and backs away

"I'm sorry but who are you?" I ask looking around the room. It's full of paintings. The windows are all open and it smells like rain is coming. The walls are white but the pictures of flowers and people bring full and vivid colors.

"I'm Robert." He says bashfully looking down. Mr. Ryan you grew up nicely. He has long shaggy blond hair and dark eyes (Miley's eyes.) His shoulders are broad and I can tell he has broken a few hearts in the past.

But his shyness, as always, throws me back. He adjusts his small brown wire glasses. The glasses are new but add so much to his long square face. He has stubble growing on his chin and upper lip.

"I'm sorry you look so much like Bee I just… well umm…" He fumbles over his words and plays with his hands which are covered in paint. I'm not sure what it is about him that draws me in. Maybe it's his jeans and white t-shirt that have dried crusting paint over them, much like his hands, or his soft eyes.

I like him, good job Beatrix. "It's okay Robert. Where is Bee anyway? You two have a fight?"

He nods. "We have been fighting a lot lately."

"About what?" I have a pretty good idea but I want to hear him say it.

Robert hunches over and walks back to his latest painting. "It's nothing really… you shouldn't be bothered with it."

I crane my neck to see the picture. The painting is of a small house, it looks a lot like my house. "You can tell me Robert… did you remember me at all?"

He nods. "Of course, who could ever forget you?"

"Is this the first time your seeing me while traveling?"

"Third."

He picks up the brush and begins adding small pink flowers to the grass. "Will you tell me what you guys are arguing about?"

"…You." He whispers. Robert turns around and looks at me. "I just want to see my wife happy again. I can't remember the last time we talked or laughed like we use to. It's not your fault Mrs. Oken… she just… I mean I want you back too! But it's tearing us apart.

I put my hand up to silence him. "It's alright."

He shakes his head. "No, it's not. Beatrix could be healed! Cindy found a cure for her from her genes! At first Bee was going to give the medicine to you. She was going to tell Cindy the information but then it came to our attention that it could only work for Beatrix. That was the first time she really broke down."

I shudder; I really don't want to hear this. I close my eyes and think of my Bumble Bee in my time. She likes coloring and reading. She loves the beach on rainy days and enjoys making sand castles with Oliver.

"And now Beatrix's is trying to save you again! Because she believes there is a way. There's always something new! Well I'm tired…" Robert throws his paintbrush across the room and hangs his head. "I wanted children… I want the old Beatrix, the woman I fell in love with."

I don't know what to say. It's all my fault. "I'm sorry Robert. I never meant for this to happen."

"It's not your fault. You loved us. You gave us your blessing at our wedding. I just wish things were different."

"You and me both Ryan…. Have you tired talking with Oliver? I mean he went through all of this with me maybe he could help?"

Robert shrugs and wipes a tear away quickly. "I've spoken with him but… he's so distant. Mr. Oken is one of the main reasons she wants to get you back. She wants her dad to be happy."

Ooh that one hurt. Oliver, what has become of him these days? "How is he?" I ask softly.

"Worn out." Robert sighs.

"Fuck." I hiss clenching my fists together. Suddenly I need to smash something, hit someone, or scream. I've fucked everything up! Oliver is weary and Beatrix is mad. "I feel like… like such an asshole."

"Why?"

"It's because of me. I should have just stayed away. I should have never told anyone about my problems…" I shake my head and stare down.

"Mrs. Oken! No!"

"Jesus Christ kid, call me Lily."

"Lily no, listen to me, this is life. You love Oliver and Beatrix right?" Robert is standing in front of me and crouching down.

"More then anything." I sigh not meeting his eyes.

"And you deserve happiness." His voice is stern and heavy, so this is what Beatrix sees.

"I'm not sure anymore."

"Of course you do! Everyone does I don't care what you might think because you are a wonderful person. And I think…" Robert stops and turns and looks out the window, it's beginning to rain.

I look out at the rain with him. "Don't doubt yourself." He whispers to me still looking at the rain.

"I could say the same about you." I tell him watching his slow movements. His hand in his hair, his mouth twitching. "Robert?"

"Lily? Do you think she still even wants me?"

I take a good look at him. "Yes."

"But you don't know what I've done, the things I've said. I just want her to be happy. Is that so bad? I mean she's dying…"

"It doesn't matter. She loves you, this I know to be true. She is like me. And she's scared and unsure. You just have to trust her. When she cries hold her and promise simple things: coffee in the morning, clothes on her back, and love."

"Thank-you Lily."

"Tell Oliver I love him." My stomach is starting to twist. "Tell him to take early morning walks, because those are my favorite. And tell Beatrix to take that medicine, oh and I love her."

I kiss Robert's forehead and leave him.

(January 3, 2035 Oliver/Lily: 43 and Beatrix: 8)

OLIVER: Drip… Drip… Drip… The sink needs to be fixed. The heat is on. It was cold today. I'm sitting at the kitchen table. Beatrix is out with Jake and the kids. My head is in my hands. I'm still in my pajamas.

Miley isn't talking. She is sitting in her seat. I don't like Miley there. I don't like Miley here either. I want to be alone.

"Oliver?" She reaches for me. I pull back quickly as if I've been burned.

"Don't touch me!" I hiss wildly. I'm standing now. The house is dark. Miley sits back in her seat, defeated and sad. I don't care.

"I think we should talk about this. We need a date Oliver."

"Shut-up!"

"Fuck you Oliver! You sit here thinking you're the only one who deserves to be upset, or angry or heartbroken! Well guess again! I'm feeling it too! She was my best friend! My only friend! And she's dead!"

"SHUT-UP! Don't say that! Don't talk about her! You don't know anything!" I'm fuming. My chest is heaving up and down.

"Of course I do! I have memories of her that you will never have!" Miley snarls nastily. "I want her back just as much as you do! But maybe you've been too busy drinking and lying around to even notice that! Or the fact that your daughter is dying inside! Wake up!"

Miley glares at me. I have nothing to say. My mouth is dry and my head is spinning. Angry is bursting through my veins. It poisons my blood and I want a release. I take the side of the small wooden table and fling it over.

The table makes a horrible loud crack as it hits the tile floor. It feels good to slam something. I pace around the kitchen. Miley sits very still, a single tear sliding down her cheek.

Thump!

"Lily…" I whisper. I run into the living and there she is. "Lily!" I cry out. She sits herself up and looks for her wheelchair.

"Hey Ollie just thought I'd drop in." She smiles humorously. I feel myself break in front of her. I gather her up in my arms and hold her close. I cry loudly in her hair and she rubs my back. No talking, no discussing, she already knows…

She feels so good, she smells like home. "Lily! Lily! God oh God."

I feel her shake her head on my shoulder. I pull back; I want to see her face. Her blue eyes scan mine and I lean in and kiss her. What do her lips taste like? … Oh strawberries. I'm hungry for her. I want her to stay. I'm pulling at her and demanding too much. My lips are hard on hers and I don't wait for an entrance before thrusting my tongue into her mouth.

She pulls away for a moment. And kisses away the tears on my cheeks. She shakes her head again. "Forgive me?" She whispers.

"There is nothing to forgive… nothing."

And then I' am holding nothing…

…..

Author's Note: Good grief! It took me forever to get back into the groove of writing. My favorite scene to write was Miley's tiny speech at the end. I got a kick out of that. I felt obligated to bring her back.

Julx27xluvsxHM: I'm very sorry I never saw that SAVE LILY campaign so sure, what the hell! Everyone join! Just remember it's all up to me… (Evil laugh.)

You guys keep reading and I'll keep writing, umkay? Leave your thoughts.