Chapter 10

Peter had no idea how to break the news to June. He knew she would be absolutely thrilled. But still, he didn't want to overwhelm or shock her. But there is no way around it, hearing someone is 'back from the dead' is going to be a shock.

"I've…we've got news. Maybe you should sit down for this." Peter suggested as he and June stood in June's living room.

June took a seat. She obliged him. "I was right, wasn't I?" She asked, talking about Neal.

Peter sat down also. "We've been investigating Neal's case." He paused. "We found a man by the name of Jay Sterling. He was working for a freight company here in New York."

June nodded concerned, and unsure of where Peter was going with this.

Peter continued. "It turns out that Jay's name really wasn't Jay. Jay was a guy with amnesia." He smiled. "And he looked, very much, like a good friend of ours."

June understood. She smiled, very excited. "He's alive? He's okay?"

Peter nodded and seconds later Neal and El walked into June's living room.

"My Darling…" June replied, tears in her eyes. She put her hands to both sides of his face. She had to make sure that he was, indeed, there. She pulled Neal into a huge hug. "…I knew. Everybody else was ready to give up on you. But I never did."

Neal smiled and hugged her back. "Hi, June." They hugged for a moment. So I can come home?"

June nodded. "I left everything just as you had it." She touched his face again, still finding it a little hard to believe. "This is your home, Neal. You are always welcome here."

WC WC WC WC WC

"I hear this wild, unbelievable, rumor." Mozzie stated as he walked out onto Neal's veranda. "I just had to come and see, for myself, if it was true."

Neal turned and smiled at his friend. They embraced.

"It's been a very long 6 months, Mon Frere." Mozzie stated.

There was a short, comfortable silence as both men sat on the veranda and admired the view.

"So Jay, what was it like being an 'average Joe' work-a-day man?" Mozzie asked. He had talked to El, at length and had heard all about Neal's life as Jay.

"I shared a no-tell motel room with a family of cockroaches and a 5-pound sewer rat who lived under my bathroom sink." Neal said, sarcastically. "It was marvelous."

Mozzie grinned. "You were very much missed, my friend."

"El tell you?" Neal asked. "Peter?"

"I spoke with Mrs. Suit…at length." Mozzie admitted. "I wasn't sure if you would want to…."

"It's okay, Moz." Neal nodded. "I just…it's really overwhelming." He shook his head as he stared out over the cityscape.

Mozzie when inside and brought them both back out some wine. He handed a glass to Neal.

"Here's to happy reunions." Neal said, and they drank a toast.

TBC

END NOTE: It will be a few days before I can update again. I thank you all, so much, for your reviews and alerts.