Ten years later Peter found himself back in town for his high school reunion. He hadn't been back to this town since the year he graduated. His adult life seen him unmarried and a war veteran having served through two tours of duty in Vietnam with the marines. A war that had claimed the lives of many friends including his old high school buddy Denny Lachance. Most people who came across him assumed that the three inch scar that ran down his cheek and the slightly smaller one on his hand were war injuries and he was in no hurry to correct them.
He wandered around town, noticing how little the world had changed Castle Rock. Irby's Billiards still remained as did the Blue Point Diner though both had upgraded their exteriors since he was last here. Still if he squinted just enough it looked exactly the same as it had when he was 18.
"Excuse me," came a voice from behind him.
He turned around to face the last person he had expected to run into. Time had done nothing to her face which was just as beautiful as ever. She was slightly more tanned now though with her hair grown a good few inches longer and tied into a low ponytail that sat on one shoulder. She wore hot pants and a halter top with platform sandals reminding him just how much some things had changed since he was last here.
She held the hand of a small blonde haired little girl who had huddled against her mothers leg as soon as she had seen Peter's frightening scars. Laura bent down to scoop her up and continued to walk down the street.
"Come on Maggie," she said soothingly to the girl who now snuggled into her arms.
"Wait," Peter called out desperately.
Despite her better judgement she stopped and turned back to face him.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely, "I'm so sorry for what I did to you."
"Good." she said shortly.
"Maybe I'll see you around?" he said hopefully.
"I doubt it," she said as she continued down the street.
"Daddy," cried the little girl wriggling out of her mothers grasp when Laura had returned to her own mother's house.
"Hey there angel," the man in question turned around from where he was making sandwiches to scoop her up before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Your face hurts," she complained loudly as her small hands stroked his stubble. He started tickling her and she ran out the door, laughing playfully calling for her Grandma.
"Hey doll face," John said now turning his attentions to his wife. "Does my face hurt?" he asked softly as he kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Sometimes," she said coyly, "but I like it. You won't believe who I just ran into."
John scratched his head, it could be anyone. They didn't come to Castle Rock that often any more and when they did it was only to visit Caroline or less frequently John's parents.
"Peter Mongoose," Laura continued without batting an eye.
"Are you ok?" he asked, his voice thick with aggression.
"Calm down sweetheart," Laura said with some amusement as she snuggled into his chest, "you're not Ace Merrill any more, you don't have to go run off after everyone for talking to me."
"This is different though," John said the hostility in his voice evident.
"I know, but I'm ok," she said seriously looking into his eyes.
John kissed her again. Laura was right, he wasn't Ace Merrill any more, he was something more important. He was a father and a husband and he loved being both but he was still very protective of his girls.
"Do you do this on purpose," he said suddenly turning his eyes to what she was wearing. "You knew we were going to your mother's today and yet you chose to dress like this when you know it drives me crazy."
He rubbed his fingers lightly against her bare back as he pressed himself against her kissing her roughly.
"John, Maggie and my mother are in the next room," Laura reminded him breathlessly.
"So we'll just have to be quiet," he said pulling he against him again.
THE END