Happy Monday. This is Part 2 from Time Stood Still. I am sure if you read that, you know where this is headed. I am so sorry for that but some ideas just don't leave you. I hope you will still review and not hate me too much.

September 6, 2044

She glanced out the farmhouse window, the sky was the palest blue with a hazy look to it. The sun bright as it struggled to bring the last summer days before the fall chill. 1pm..she knew the time by the angle of the sun. She watched as the new barn manager moved the horses back in the stalls for the afternoon. Her new agent stepped into the house and peeked on her in the kitchen, "Ma'am, Jason will be here shortly."

She turned and gave her the slight smile, "Thank you."

Her eyes cast over the calendar hanging on the kitchen wall passing it quickly. She didn't need a calendar to tell her what day it is. 63 years since the moment she first laid eyes on him in that dreaded World Religions class. She entered that class like any other. Found her perfect spot..second row in the center. She took her bag from her shoulder, grabbed her notebook and pen out of it and tossed them on the desk in front of her. Hooked her bag on the back of the chair and sat down. Her long legs stemmed down from under her shorts. Her t-shirt a little snug. Her hair pulled up in a high ponytail. The day was hot and so was the classroom. Henry told her "he noticed her immediately."

She was not happy about having to take that class, until she met his gaze. There was nothing about him that wasn't simply gorgeous. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever. She was tempted to look away, but she couldn't. She examined every inch of his face while his eyes bore into hers. She bit on the inside of her lip. Time stood still. A cough in the room brought him back as he spoke again, she looked at her notes and glanced back up at him. He glanced back her way as his eyes squinted just bit at her. Her heart may have exploded in that moment. Her stomach definitely filled with butterflies. If she could go back to that day right now she would and do it all over again in a heartbeat.

She chuckled thinking about how once she got up the courage she debated him several times that semester. Hard. Always looking to challenge him and vice versa. It was a game they would play out for the rest of their lives. Whether it was a decision she had to make, a book he was writing or the handling of a student, they always wanted each other's opinion and then would debate that opinion back and forth until they found the answer. Most of the time together.

Now he was gone. As she walked through the house alone, everything about him still lived here. The books he read on the shelves. The repeats on his desk and the side table next to his chair. His glasses settled next to his alarm clock on the nightstand next to their bed. When she woke this morning, she realized their bed was no longer "theirs" now solely "hers." She cried into her pillow. She would miss him more than anyone in the world.

The SUV and detail pulled in. No grandkids today as it was the first day of school. No Claudia either. Just him. Looking so much like his father. That thick hair with a few grays starting to poke through was all Henry. He looked just as handsome as his father in his navy suit. The smirky grin on his face as he caught her peeking out the kitchen window. That was her. She smiled back at him. He was the perfect mix of both of them.

He turned back to the car and took out the mahogany box grateful she had stepped away from the window.

She opened the front door saying, "Your sisters just left a couple of hours ago. I really am fine," her voice fading as she realized what was in his hands. "What is that?" she asked already knowing the answer.

He answered her, "Dad asked me to deliver this to you, in case you forgot it. I found it in the closet in Georgetown last night when I went over to check on the house."

"The letters" she whispered to herself. "I didn't forget," she answered him.

"Well, I wasn't sure how long you planned on staying here so I brought it down, in case you wanted it. Dad said it was important and you would need it." He grinned at her.

It began a long time ago, before Ali and Jason were even a twinkle in their eyes. She saw it in the closet two days ago, after the funeral but left it for another time.

Now, the mahogany box sat on the family table staring back at her. She crossed her arms in front of her looking down on it, thinking to herself "I guess that time is now."

"Did you go for a ride this morning?" he asked, admiring how fit his mother still was in her jeans and her Peter Frampton t-shirt. The yellow matching her blonde hair that still waved down to her shoulders. She stepped over to the coffee pot pouring two mugs. "No," she shook her head. "I did last week. Right after he passed. Since then, I haven't had the energy to ride."

He took off his jacket and settled it on the back of the chair, rolled up his sleeves and sat down at his spot at the table.

She set one mug in front of him and the other remained in her left hand where her wedding ring and diamond remained. She ran her right index finger over the wooden table as she sat down. She hadn't sat here in three weeks. The last time they were together making the decision for him to begin hospice. The same table they had sat at as a couple and a family for so many years making decisions. Some that changed their lives, others that changed the world. She stared at his empty seat. To her left at the head of the table.

Jason took her in, every steely glance, ever deep breath that fought back the tears. She wouldn't cry in front of him. He knew that.

Another deep breath, "Captain and I walked back." She gave him the unsure grin, "I now realize I am too old to ride up that mountain."

"You took Captain?" he asked, laughing a little.

"He's your Dad's horse. It felt fitting," she argued quietly.

"Well, he doesn't fit you. He's too big for you. I am sure the detail loved that," he mumbled and took a sip of his coffee, noting she hadn't touched hers. He felt bad because she was going to need it.

She ignored his comment.

He sighed and she noticed. Bracing herself for what was coming.

"Mom, as Attorney General, you know how much clearance I have," he started easy, hoping she wouldn't catch on.

"Jason, you didn't?" she asked, staring right at him. She placed her elbow on the table and slowly rubbed her forehead.

"Mom, I just wanted to know," he argued. She was about to argue back, but he put his hand up. "Look, I just wanted to know everything I could about you and Dad before you are gone too. In case, I had any questions."

"Oh. You must have spent hours at the archives." She rolled her eyes but remained firm with him as she dished that statement.

"I did," he looked down not making eye contact with her.

"Jason…." She used the same tone she and Henry had since he was maybe two. Now she took a sip of her coffee and said giving him the look, "So, do you have any questions?"

"Plenty." He answered but seeing the look on his face, he regretted that answer. "But, for another time."

She dropped her shoulders and stared at him. "You might as well fire away now!"

"Look, I don't want to argue with you about this. I just want to tell you that I was really proud about what I read. You and Dad are true patriots. I am proud to be your son. I wished I had the chance to tell him one more time." He looked down into the coffee mug and then back up at her with tears in his eyes, his voice cracking, "I am really going to miss him."

He hadn't cried this whole time until now. She stood up from the table. He stood and fell into her. She held him tight and whispered, "Me too, baby." She kissed his head. A crystal clear tear fell, she felt it. Time stood still.