Emily looked over the bassinet, watching her slumbering Lydia. She could hardly believe several months had passed since her birth. Already, Lydia had grown some. Her hair had grown longer, though not by much. She laughed and even recognized Matt when he returned home. By now, Emily could see more defined features in his daughter. She could see plenty of herself already, her hair, her face, her hands. There seemed to be nothing within Lydia that resembled Matt, save for her bright blue eyes.
Emily turned from the bassinet and rose from her chair. She walked to the bookshelf and withdrew her old journal. She had put this off for too long. She had pressed her luck with the anomalies since Lydia's birth. If she wanted to remain in this time, with Lydia and Matt, she needed to make her wishes heard.
Matt jogged up the stairs to his flat. He entered the flat to find Emily standing in the center of the living room carrying Lydia in her arms. She turned, hearing his footsteps coming and smiled. Matt smiled warmly. He walked across the room toward them. He gave Emily a quick kiss.
"Welcome home." Emily said. "Anything particular happen today?"
Matt shook his head. "No. Anything happen here?"
Lydia squealed and raised her arms out toward Matt.
Emily laughed and passed her to Matt. "Just missing her father."
Matt lifted Lydia into his arms. He kissed her cheek. "Hey Lydi. How's my girl?"
Emily smiled. She loved to watched the banter between him and Lydia. "Matt, there's something that…I want to talk to you about."
Matt turned toward Emily.
"It's important." Emily said. "Something I should've said a long time ago."
Matt nodded.
"I-"
Suddenly Matt's phone rang in his pocket loudly.
Emily sighed and lowered her head. "Of course."
Matt reached into his pocket quickly and checked the ID. "It's Jess."
Emily nodded. She took Lydia from Matt, allowing him to talk to Jess free. "We'll be out on the terrace."
Matt nodded and opened his phone. "What is it Jess?"
"Sorry for calling you at home Matt." Jess apologized.
"It's fine, where's the anomaly?" Matt asked.
"It's on the east side of town, but there's more." Jess said.
Matt detected hesitation in Jess's voice. "What is it?"
"Um…Connor…Connor checked the date and…it…it…it leads back…to the eighteen hundred." Jess explained. "Back to Emily's time."
Matt felt his heart stop. He turned to the window. Emily was out on the terrace with Lydia, looking out at the city. "You're sure?"
"Yeah." Jess answered.
"Okay. Thanks for letting me know." He closed the phone and sighed. He knew this day was coming, it had been for over a year. She didn't belong here, this wasn't her time. It was for the best to return back home, he'd promised her. But that didn't stop him from wanting just a little more time with Emily. More time for Emily to share with her daughter, when she'd never see her grow up. Matt set his phone back down on the counter. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Matt reached into his coat pocket and gripped a small box tightly. So much for changing history.
Matt walked to the terrace door and pushed them open. For a moment, he stood there, watching Emily and Lydia. He took in Emily's smile as she held Lydia. He watched as she pointed out the differences that Lydia was too young to understand. These were precious moments that Emily would never have again.
"Emily." Matt called.
Emily turned, still smiling. Her eyes met his quickly. She looked him over. Her smile quickly faded. She knew something was wrong. She looked to Lydia and cradled her against her chest, "It opened. Didn't it?"
Matt nodded. "East side. Just a few miles from here."
Emily walked across the terrace, toward him. She passed Lydia into his arms. "I'll gather my things."
Matt watched Emily enter the flat. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
Emily walked about Matt's flat, dressed in the same clothes she crossed into over a year ago. She ran her fingertips over the smooth countertops like she had the first time she entered. She remembered he amazement she felt when she saw the openness of the flat. She turned slowly, taking in the view of the flat one last time. She was never going to sleep within these glass walls again, never wake by the rising sun, never to look out at the vast city. She reached into her coat and removed her leather book. Emily placed it on the counter, moving it aimlessly with her fingers. She'd been too late.
"Emily?" Matt called.
Emily turned quickly. Matt was standing on the landing, carrying Lydia in the mobile bassinet. "Yes?"
"Are you ready?" Matt asked.
Emily nodded. "Yes."
Matt pulled up to the empty warehouse. He shifted the car into park and cut the engine. Emily looked out. She spotted the vehicles of the others nearby. They were gathered around their cars, waiting for them. Emily hesitantly opened her door and climbed out. Matt walked into the back of the car and retrieved Lydia from her carrier.
Emily walked to Lydia and took her into her arms one last time. She held her precious baby close to her, trying not to let her tears fall. She kissed Lydia's cheek. "Goodbye my darling." She looked back up at Matt and returned her into her father's arms.
They walked across the parking lot, toward the others.
Jess spoke first. "We all wanted to see you off properly."
"Thank you, but you didn't have to." Emily said.
"We know." Connor said.
"But you're a friend Emily." Abby said. "We wanted to."
Jess rushed up to Emily and hugged her. "Oh, what am I going to do without you?"
Emily hugged her tightly. "You'll do fine, Jess."
Jess released her slowly. "Girls night won't be the same."
Emily laughed lightly. "Sure it will. You and Abby will cause twice as much chaos here without me."
Abby walked forward. "But it won't be as much fun without you." She wrapped her arms around Emily. "Take care of yourself Em."
"I will." Emily said.
Connor walked forward. "High five for the road?"
Emily laughed. "Of course."
Connor held up his hand. Emily brought her hand up and gave him one last high five. Connor pulled her into a tight hug. "It won't be the same without you here."
Becker walked up next. He gave Emily a quick hug.
"Take care of Jess.' Emily whispered.
"I will." He promised.
Emily released him and turned to Danny.
Danny walked to her side and gave her a tight hug.
"Thank you for bringing him back." Emily whispered.
"Good luck, Emily." Danny said.
Emily released Danny and nodded. She looked to them all. "Goodbye my friends."
"The locking device is in place." Becker said to Matt.
Matt nodded. He passed Lydia to Jess. "Jess, if you could watch her for a moment."
Jess nodded. She took Lydia into her arms. "Sure thing Matt.
Matt walked alongside Emily, leading into the warehouse. They walked in silence to the main room. The golden sphere stood in the center of the warehouse. The locking device lay just meters from the anomaly.
Emily stared at the gateway with resentment. For three years she's wanted to return. In the year she spent in this time, she never wanted to leave. But this wasn't her time, this wasn't where she belonged. But this is where she wanted to belong. This was where her dear friends resided, where her daughter would remain and grow. This was the time she'd come to love and understand more than her own. This is where she wanted to stay. Emily took a deep breath and turned to Matt. She could see the pain he tried to hide from her. She knew this was hard for him, even if he didn't admit it.
"So this it is." Emily whispered.
Matt nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Emily swallowed. She still one chance. "Matt, earlier, before Jess called-"
"Don't." Matt interrupted, shaking his head. "Don't say anything that'll make this harder."
Emily nodded. "Right." She averted her eyes from him, inhaling slowly. "You will-"
"I'll make sure Lydia grows up." Matt finished.
Emily smiled sadly. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I guess that's all I can ask for then." She took a deep breath and looked back up at Matt. "Goodbye Matthew."
"Goodbye Emily." Matt said. He slowly pulled her into his arms one last time. He held her close and tight, relishing the last time to have her near him. "Don't look back. Don't make it harder for yourself."
"Okay." Emily whispered.
Matt kissed the side of her head and released her. He looked down at the ground; trying to keep his emotions under control He didn't want her to see him like this.
Emily turned from him and slowly walked toward the anomaly. Every step she took felt like an eternity, every step a stab at her heart, a step tearing her from what she really wanted. She was halfway to the anomaly when she stopped. The tears came down quickly now. She bit her lip tightly, to hide her sobs. She wanted to see him one last time, before she left him forever.
"Don't look back." Matt called.
Emily nodded. He didn't want her here that much was sure. She balled her fists tightly beside her legs. With the last of her willpower and energy, Emily moved toward the anomaly without hesitation. She closed her eyes as the golden light enveloped her, taking her back to her time.
There had been no hesitation in her leaving. She had marched through the anomaly with fierce determination. When he had finally looked up from the ground, Matt had seen Emily standing halfway between him and the anomaly. He wanted her to turn around. He wanted her to look back at him. He wanted to tell her to come back. Instead, he did the right thing.
"Don't look back." He's called.
And she didn't. She kept going, running even, through the anomaly. Leaving permanently.
Matt sighed heavily. He wiped his eyes free of any signs of tears. They were no good to him. He turned to the locking device and entered the code. The magnetic field wrapped around the anomaly and sealed it. He watched the taunting anomaly for a moment longer. Then he turned and headed back out toward the others.
They were still standing around the cars, waiting for Matt. Abby was sitting on the hood of their car, resting her chin on Connor's head. Danny was leaning against the driver's door, his foot propped behind him on the door itself. Jess was leaning against the car, bouncing Lydia in her arms. Becker stood beside her. He turned, spotting Matt first. He pushed himself off the car, gathering everyone's attention.
Matt walked to Jess. Jess gently passed Lydia into his arms.
"Matt, we were all planning on going out together. We'd love it if you'd join us." Abby said.
Matt forced a slightly smiled. "Thanks Abby, but I don't think I'll be the best company tonight."
Abby nodded.
Matt turned from the others and headed toward the car. He moved quickly. He needed to get away from them, all of them. He opened the back door and settled Lydia into her car seat.
"Matt!"
Matt looked over his shoulder. Jess was jogging toward the car carrying a large bag with her. He straightened up and turned toward her. "What Jess."
Jess stopped several meters from him. "Look, I know this isn't easy for you. It wasn't easy for Emily either. But she wasn't along and neither are you. Don't shut us out Matt. Not now."
"I need to get back to my flat, Jess." Matt said. He turned and reached for the door.
"wait!" Jess ordered.
Matt turned.
Jess reached into the bag and retrieved a large book. "I was saving this for Emily's birthday next week. But I figured you and Lydia should have it instead."
Matt took the book from Jess. "Thanks."
Jess nodded and turned from the car.
Matt climbed back into the car and started the engine. He shifted the gears and drove from the others.
Matt climbed up the stairs to his flat. He carried a sleeping Lydia in his arms. As he reached the landing, an odd silence fell over the flat. There was no sound anywhere. How accustomed he'd grown her hearing Emily's sweet voice welcome him home. Or seeing her in the kitchen trying her hand at cooking.
Matt walked to the back room and gently laid Lydia into her crib. He looked down at the only link back to Emily. She would no doubt look like her mother. Matt sighed and sat down on the bed. He heard the sound of shuffling paper on the bed. Matt turned and looked at the bed. Several papers were lying on the bed. Matt grabbed them and looked them over. He recognized Emily's elegant script.
Dearest Mathew,
I when I first came to this time, my only thoughts were to return to my own time. But as I stayed, I came to love this time and the people within it. I discovered the wonderful joy of belonging.
I do not wish to leave this time, Matthew. I love this time. Even if I am not form this time, I feel this time is my home. Here, with Lydia, with you. If you were to ask me to stay, I will gladly stay here with you. I would stay without hesitation.
~Emily Merchant
Matt looked up from the paper. Was this what she had wanted to tell him earlier? He rose from the bed and stormed into the kitchen. Why hadn't he let her tell him. He would've let her stay. He wouldn't have thought twice about it. Why hadn't he asked her to stay? Why had he let her go? Matt leaned against the counter, and caught sight of something familiar. Matt raised his head to find Emily's journal lying on the counter near him. A small piece of paper lay among the pages, marking an entry. Matt took up the journal and opened it, finding the final entry from Emily.
London, England
April fifteenth two thousand and twelve
My dearest Matthew,
A year ago, you promised me that you would return me to my time. If you are reading this, you have kept your promise to me, like any honorable man would. Our meeting in this time was neither expected, nor dull. I am aware that my actions were less than gracious at times and, as you so often put, I could be rather bossy, however I wish you to know that the time I spent will not go forgotten. I can never forget the kindness you've shown me, nor could I ever repay your kindness.
Please understand that in my leaving, I do not return to the man I love. But rather to a business partner. One whom I could never trust the way I trusted you. Know that I do not love him nor could I ever love him. In returning to my time I merely ensure that the present is not altered further and gain nothing by returning. Here, I leave all that I cherish and love with all my heart. Please know Matthew, that in parting I leave my heart with you and Lydia. Not one day shall pass in my time where I will not think of the daughter I left, or the man that I truly love. Not once in my time here have I ever come to regret the night we shared together. I will never forget the touch of your hands, or the beat of your heart. Nor will I forget that night brought happiness I never thought I could feel.
In regards to young Lydia, I have no doubt in my mind that you will take care of her. I know you will see that she grows into a strong and beautiful young woman. If there ever comes a time which she inquires about me, I trust you to tell her all that she needs to know. Though I ask that you do tell her, if circumstances had been different, I would never have felt. Tell her that I shall always be proud of her and I will always love her.
There are so many things I wish I could tell you, Matthew. But as my time and writing grows short, I shall simply share the most important. The time that I spent here, with you, has been the best year of my life. Though my departure would have been more painful, at least you would never question my feelings toward you. My one regret is never having the courage to tell you how I felt. No man could ever replace you in my heart, nor could I ever love another man the way I love you.. I pray that one day I shall return to you and Lydia.
I love you Matthew
Take care my love.
~Lady Emily Merchant
Matt took a deep breath and closed the journal. His eyes burned with tears he refused to shed. He gripped the journal in his hand. It was her last gift to give to him. One of the last looks into her mind before she left them. Left him. Forever. Damn him. Damn him for not asking to stay. Damn him for never telling her he loved her. Damn him for sending her away. Damn him.
yes i just sent her away! what do you have to say about that? reveiws please :)