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She can’t recall if she has always been here but it seems likely. There is no before she can remember, and maybe there never has been. Sometimes, she imagines a pink house that makes her feel contented but that soon disappears and she’s back to listening to the screaming and singing and that familiar drumming that makes the walls around her vibrate.
This small room is her home. It’s bare and cold and poorly lit, but it’s home to her. There is no sense of time but she assumes it’s been years since she’s seen another soul. It’s just her, alone in these four walls, waiting for something. She doesn’t know exactly what, but she knows that she’s waiting for it and that when it finally happens she will know.
She’s sure of it.
.
There’s static in the air and the lights flicker as the drums grow louder and louder until she’s covering her ears and squeezing her eyes shut. She’s screaming but it’s drowned out by the sounds booming around her. Nothing can drown them out and there’s a terrifying moment when she senses that her room has suddenly been filled with darkness. It’s then that she opens her eyes and can see nothing. Her hands fall to the floor and she blinks quickly, trying to adjust her vision, but there isn’t anything to see.
She begins to breathe quickly, the terror rushing right through her.
“Hello?” she calls out.
There’s pounding against the door and she drags herself back until she’s pressed against a wall and bringing her knees up to her chest. The pounding becomes louder and louder until it stops as suddenly as it’s started.
And then the door swings open and bright light fills her sight. She covers her eyes with a hand and cries out, startled and terrified. Her terror grows when she realizes that she can hear footsteps and that they are moving toward her.
“I found you,” a deep, accented voice rasps.
She doesn’t dare open her eyes.
Soon there are cool hands upon her face, gently stroking her skin and only then does she gain the courage to drop her hand and open her eyes. She must look. She must.
There is a man before her. His dark features and mess of hair fill her vision and she thinks she’s seen him before but knows it isn’t possible. She’s been here, alone, for so long and hasn’t seen anyone. His eyes are kind, though, and she feels much safer than she ever has under his gaze.
“I told you I’d find you,” he murmurs, his hands falling from her face to her sides, pulling her toward him. Why she allows him to do this, she isn’t sure, but she does. His arms encircle her, holding her close and she can’t stop looking at his face.
“Annie,” he says, his tone concerned, his eyes mirroring that.
“Is that my name?” she asks him softly.
From the expression that appears on his face, it must be.
.
The pink house is real after all. It’s real and the man who has saved her is seated beside her, his large hand holding hers as they wait. She doesn’t know what they’re waiting for, but she’s accustomed to this, so she waits and waits and waits until the man, no, until Mitchell, tenses and then finally lets her hand go to stand and leave the room. She sits back, her arms wrapping around herself as she keeps her gaze downcast, still so very afraid of everything. She doubts the fear will ever leave her. It’s ingrained into her, deep down into her bones.
“Annie!” a voice shouts, startling her, making her jump. It isn’t Mitchell, but another man. And he is heading toward her, smiling from ear to ear and she shakes her head, pushing herself back against the chair she’s seated upon, needing space, needing to get away, far away. The man’s smile falls, turns into a frown and she’s suddenly full of guilt. She’s caused this, his unhappiness.
“Annie,” he says again, somberly now. His raises his hands and keeps a distance and she watches as Mitchell pats his shoulder and shakes his head.
“You believe me now?” Mitchell asks the man.
“She really doesn’t remember?” the man asks sadly.
“No, George, she doesn’t,” Mitchell answers.
The man, George, sighs and presses his hand to his forehead as he watches her and she closes her eyes, wishing she’d disappear. When she opens them, she’s no longer where she was, but in a different room, sitting on a small armchair. This room seems familiar, as if she’s connected to it, and she curls up into herself, closing her eyes once more.
.
Annie isn’t aware of how long she stays in this room, but a soft knocking takes her out of her confused musing and she turns her head toward the sound. Mitchell stands in the doorway, leaning against it as he watches her.
Something stirs within her mind. Has this happened before? Has Mitchell stood there before, waiting for her to look at him?
“Up for company?” he asks hopefully.
She nods even though she isn’t really sure she wants that. Her answer seems to make him happy because he actually smiles at her and then he’s inside the room and sitting down on the floor before her. This, too, seems very familiar.
“Annie, I know you’re scared and confused, but you’re safe here,” Mitchell tells her. “I know you have no reason to believe me, but maybe… maybe you can trust your instincts? Do you think I’m being honest?”
“Yes,” she immediately answers him.
That makes him smile a bit more.
“Good,” he says, his gaze never once leaving her face.
“I just don’t understand any of this,” she says, closing her eyes as the frustration hits her. “There is so much here that is familiar but I can’t remember even when I try so hard to.”
“It’ll come to you,” he says confidently. “I know it, Annie. “
She opens her eyes then and looks at him. “At least I know my name now,” she laughs, wanting to lighten the air around them.
Mitchell laughs along with her and nods. “At least you know that,” he agrees.
.
I had a life once. Or twice. I had two lives before the darkness but I can’t remember either. But I had a life. I did.
Annie sighs, twists her hair around her finger and lets go, watching it curl right back into place. She’s tired, which interests her since she doesn’t sleep and is sure that she never has as a ghost. She feels exhaustion throughout her body, though. It’s heavy and it rattles through her, making everything seem a hundred times worse.
And then there’s the obsession with tea that she’s rediscovered. Mitchell and George are delighted, but Annie is annoyed. Black tea, green tea, breakfast blend, chamomile… the list goes on and it’s all she wants to do when she’s not sitting around, trying to remember things that have nothing to do with tea.
Some things come and go. She thinks about snow globes whenever Mitchell is around her, which is extremely confusing because there aren’t any of those in the house. She’s tempted to ask him, but she doesn’t want to come off as crazier than she already feels. George keeps his distance, wary of whether or not she’ll have another fit and make the lamps and mugs explode again. She can’t blame him, not really. She annoys herself all on her own, so she’s sure she’s annoying the two of them as well, even if Mitchell insists otherwise.
And as if he’s heard her thoughts, he appears, bringing light with him to ease away the darkness that lingers around her.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Mitchell sings as he walks into the living room. He’s all smiles and happiness and hope and, oh, Annie wants to have the smallest bit of that.
“A surprise?” she asks, quirking an eyebrow. “For me?”
“Yeah,” he answers, nodding quickly. “Come on then!”
Although she makes a show with her sighing and groaning, Annie is actually excited and that’s new and a part of her is happy that it’s Mitchell’s doing.
She follows him into the kitchen and tilts her head to one side as her eyes fall upon her surprise.
“A tea set?” she asks.
Mitchell turns, a frown appearing on his lovely face. “Do you not like it?” he asks. “I just thought that, well, new beginnings, you know?”
“New beginnings,” she repeats slowly, trying to get a feel for those two words. Mitchell watches her, but he’s always watching her. She never seems to mind much, which is also very interesting and she wonders, not for the first time, if she has, or had, feelings for the vampire that aren’t strictly platonic.
She moves slowly until she is at Mitchell’s side and then reaches down, taking his hand.
“It’s beautiful,” she says and smiles a real, true smile. “I love it, Mitchell.”
Mitchell’s frown immediately disappears and he’s grinning down at her.
“Shall I make us tea then?” she asks.
“I’d love that,” he answers, looking at her like she’s the best thing he’s ever seen.
After that, Annie doesn’t really mind the tea thing.
.
George sits across from her, his blue eyes questioning her. Annie is used to this by now. She knows that George questions every single thing she does and that endears him to her. She cares for the werewolf, even if he seems irritated by her most of the time.
Like today. George is most definitely annoyed and it’s her doing.
“Tell me again why I have to repeat the story of how we met when I have told you about two dozen times,” George sighs.
“I think I’m remembering,” she explains.
George’s eyebrows shoot up and he starts to grin. “Really?” he asks, his voice rising excitedly.
Annie laughs and nods. “Sort of. It’s still hazy, but I think I have some memories. Ones that I haven’t made up. They feel real.”
“Annie, this is wonderful!” George happily explains and reaches out, taking her hand. “I want you to remember. Mitchell does too. Actually, I feel like Mitchell wants you to remember so much more, but even if I feel it, I don’t think it. You’re my friend just as much as you’re Mitchell’s…” George blinks and stops his rambling, which makes Annie laugh again.
“I like your rambling,” she tells him. “It’s all right.”
George’s ears are pink, as are his cheeks and Annie is overcome with affection for her friend.
“Tell me what you think you remember,” George requests of her a moment after he has composed himself.
Annie bites her lip. “Well, I remember… a card,” she says.
George’s brow furrows. “A card,” he repeats.
Annie nods. “Yes. It had a hand drawn heart on it and it made me feel loved and appreciated.”
George is quiet for a moment, his eyebrows knitting as he thinks. Annie awkwardly looks down at her hands, but then George is laughing and grabbing her hands again. “The card!” he exclaims. “Annie, that was real. We made you that card! It was a sort of anniversary present and you were upset about other things, but we did that for you and you actually liked it, which surprised me.”
Annie’s eyes widen. “So, it was real? It was really real? I’m remembering?”
George nods quickly. “You’re remembering! This is brilliant. I need to call Mitchell…”
George continues to talk, but Annie isn’t listening. She feels George’s hands leave hers, but she doesn’t really mind. She’s remembering. Her memories aren’t ones she has made up. They are real and they are coming back to her.
Annie feels truly happy.
.
“You’re remembering,” Mitchell says as he stands in her doorway.
Annie looks up, welcoming the familiar sight. She nods at him. “I am.”
Mitchell grins and bounds into her room, right to her, his hands taking hers, pulling her up. And then his arms, those strong arms that always have a way of making her feel safe, wrap around her, keeping her close. “This is wonderful,” he whispers, then kisses the top of her head.
Annie closes her eyes, a rush coming over her. She doesn’t know what it means or where it comes from, but she likes the sensation. “I remember snow globes,” she blurts out.
Mitchell hums in interest and Annie leans back, meeting his eyes. “I… I remember snow globes and they somehow have a connection with you,” she explains with embarrassment.
“Snowstorms,” Mitchell says suddenly.
“What?” Annie asks.
“Snowstorms,” Mitchell repeats with a smile. “It was like a snowstorm. Moving and shifting, but always settling down. That was us, you and me.”
Annie laughs, but only because she is confused. “What are you talking about?”
Mitchell gives her a look, one she can’t understand. And then, then he’s moving forward and pressing his mouth to hers.
Mitchell is kissing her.
She gasps and pulls away, her eyes widening with surprise, her hand flying up to her mouth. She presses two fingers to her lips. They burn, but in a way she likes.
“You kissed me,” she whispers.
Mitchell takes a step toward her, his eyes wide, looking right into hers. “What did you feel?” he asks.
“I… felt something,” she answers weakly.
“Something?” he inquires further.
“It was nice,” she admits. “It was… cold, but not in a terrible way.”
“It was like kissing someone who has just come in from outside,” Mitchell says hoarsely.
“It was… tingly,” Annie says. She feels déjà vu. This has happened.
“Cold and tingly,” Mitchell agrees, suddenly very close to her once more.
“What is happening here?” Annie demands. She feels out of her element and she doesn’t like it at all.
“What was always meant to,” Mitchell answers.
“Stop being cryptic,” she snaps. “I don’t like it.”
“I don’t mean to be,” Mitchell insists. “It’s how I feel. I think it was meant to be this way. I think it was always going to end up like this.”
“Like what?” Annie asks gently.
“I saved you,” he says. “You saved me right back, even if you didn’t mean to, even before I found you.”
“I don’t remember,” she whimpers.
Mitchell cups her face. “You will.”
.
Annie is ready to venture out into the world. It’s been months since Mitchell has rescued her and she feels confident enough to step outside of her pink house.
With Mitchell, of course.
“Do you need me to hold your hand?” he teases her.
Annie scowls for a moment, then nods. “Do you mind?”
“No, of course not,” he says, reaching out for her hand.
Their fingers lace together and Annie feels braver than seconds before. She takes a deep breath and then opens the door. Someone walking past looks up and nods at her.
“I… I can be seen,” she stutters. “Mitchell, they can see me!”
He chuckles and closes the door behind them. “It seems so.”
“I think I’m all right with it,” she says as they walk down the street.
“As long as you feel fine, I’m happy,” Mitchell tells her. “The second you don’t, I want you to tell me. I don’t want you to be upset.”
She smiles. “I really do appreciate this. I appreciate you.”
“I only want you to get better,” he says.
“I’m remembering, slowly, but I am,” she sighs. “I guess I’m not a very patient person.”
Mitchell snorts. He actually snorts and Annie glares at him. “Don’t be mean!”
“I’m not!” he exclaims.
“Oh, shut up,” she says.
They smile at one another and that familiar rush sweeps through her again. It’s becoming obvious that the rush is about Mitchell and that only he makes her experience it. The only problem is that Annie isn’t ready to tell him.
Right now she’s content with simply holding his hand as they stroll down the busy road.
.
Nina is behind her, moving through the clothing rack while Annie stares at her reflection in the long mirror in front of her and pulls her hair up. She studies herself and wishes she could change her clothes. She’s so tired of grey.
“So, will George be taking you out for your anniversary?” Annie asks, still staring at her reflection.
“I’m sure,” Nina answers. “I need to find something new. I haven’t had anything new in so long.”
Annie spins around, smiling at her friend. “Let me help,” she says. “I can’t dress myself, but I’d so love to help you find something nice.”
Nina laughs, but nods. “I’d welcome the help,” she says.
Annie giddily makes her way over and takes Nina’s hand, leading her across the boutique. “Now, look at this,” Annie says excitedly. “Isn’t it lovely?”
“Annie, it’s a little much,” Nina says hesitantly.
“You know George is going to take you to a fancy restaurant,” Annie says. “This is George we’re talking about, Nina.”
Nina huffs, blowing the hair away from her face. “I’ll look ridiculous.”
“Don’t be silly, Nina. You’ll look lovely,” Annie says, takes the dress and pushes it into Nina’s arms. “Now go try it on while I sit here and wait for you.”
Nina huffs again, but does as she’s told. Annie smiles and sits down, crossing her legs as she waits. It takes longer than she expects, which worries her. “Nina? Are you all right in there?” she calls out. Annie hears a door unlock and then Nina steps out. She takes one look at Annie and covers her face.
“I look ridiculous!” she cries.
Annie stands and rushes over, patting Nina’s shoulder. “You look beautiful!”
Nina slowly slides her hands down her face and narrows her eyes. “Are you lying to me?”
“No,” Annie laughs.
“I like this dress,” Nina whispers. “I… feel pretty.”
“Then, it’s the one,” Annie says.
“You must think I’m crazy,” Nina says.
“Not anymore than the rest of us. Now, let’s buy this and go home.”
Their arms are linked as they walk home and Annie feels practically normal. Right in this moment, she isn’t a ghost and Nina isn’t a werewolf. They’re just two friends having a nice day together. So, when Nina suggests they go to a café instead of home, Annie happily agrees. Sure, she can’t actually eat or drink anything, but she can pretend.
“So, how is your memory?” Nina asks after she’s taken a sip of her latte.
“It’s getting better,” Annie answers. “I remember things here and there. Sometimes I’ll hear memories instead of really seeing them. It’s strange, but it helps.”
“I’ve noticed Mitchell has been helping you,” Nina says dryly.
“Mitchell is really wonderful with me. I am so grateful,” Annie says, choosing to ignore Nina’s tone. They’re having such a nice day, Annie doesn’t want it ruined.
“Annie, you need to be careful. Mitchell is dangerous,” Nina says, lowering her voice.
“Not to me,” Annie says simply.
“No, Annie, you need to keep your guard up. I have known plenty of men like Mitchell. Nothing good ever comes from being with them.”
Annie laughs. “Being with them?” Annie asks incredulously. “Do you think we’re together?”
Nina’s eyebrows rise. “You mean, you’re not?”
“No!” Annie exclaims. “Whatever could make you think that?”
Nina is quiet, and then takes a deep breath. “It’s just that… your body language. And his. It’s rather obvious. Even George agrees.”
Annie’s nose crinkles. “You’ve been talking to George about this?”
“He’s actually the one that brought it up,” Nina admits.
“Have you said anything to Mitchell?” Annie asks worriedly.
“Oh no! Of course not!” Nina replies. “George hasn’t either.”
Annie bites her lip. “I, well, I do feel something for Mitchell,” she admits aloud for the first time. “I have since he saved me. Nina, he really cares for me. And he’s so kind and so helpful and attentive. I think I may be falling for him. And I think, maybe, he may feel something for me too.”
“Oh, Annie,” Nina sighs. “I didn’t want this to be true.”
Annie frowns. “Is it really that awful a thought? Mitchell being with me?”
“I just don’t want to see you hurt. You’re my friend, Annie. I care about you,” Nina says.
“Then, trust me,” Annie implores.
“I do trust you, Annie,” Nina says. “It’s Mitchell that I don’t trust.”
.
George and Nina are out for the night, leaving Annie home alone. Mitchell still hasn’t come home from work, so Annie drifts through the house, walking down the halls, dragging her fingers across the walls. This is all hers. Every inch of this house is hers and she wants to remember every single moment that has happened within its walls. The floorboards creak beneath her feet and she is comforted by the sound. The house is tired, just as she is.
“Annie?” Mitchell calls out. “Are you here?”
She spins around, a smile blooming across her face. “I’m upstairs!” she answers.
“Don’t come down, I’ll just come up,” Mitchell says.
She listens to his footsteps rushing up the stairs and then he’s there, at the end of the hall. She smiles at him, but doesn’t move, wanting him to come to her. And he does, of course he does.
“George and Nina are out?” Mitchell asks once he’s inches from her.
She nods. “They won’t be back for hours. I sort of thought I’d be alone, since you weren’t home at your usual time.”
“I was stuck at work,” Mitchell sighs and runs his hand over his hair and down the back of it. “Had to clean a mess. I showered for longer than I have in a while.”
“I’m glad,” Annie giggles. “I’d rather you not stink the house up.”
Mitchell grins roguishly at her and then pulls her into his arms, embracing her. “I missed you,” he murmurs.
She closes her eyes and inhales. He smells like soap, but he smells like Mitchell. There’s a distinct scent that is always Mitchell and it brings her great comfort. “I missed you too,” she says. “I’m very happy I won’t be alone tonight.”
Mitchell leans back and holds her face with his hands. “I’m tired. Do you mind if we lie down?”
Annie shakes her head. “No, I think that would be nice.”
After they’ve settled down onto Mitchell’s bed, Annie allows Mitchell to pull her into his arms. She rests her head upon his shoulder and smiles up at him.
“I look forward to this,” Mitchell says. “I think about it at work. All I want is to come home and lie down with you. It makes me feel very normal.”
Annie laughs. “I feel very flattered right now.”
“You should be. We cuddle, Annie. I never liked this until you.”
“This feels best,” Annie confesses. “It’s never felt this way with anyone else.”
Mitchell raises an eyebrow. “You can recall things like this?”
She nods. “From my life, yes. It’s this life that’s hazy,” she sighs.
“I wish I could help you more,” Mitchell frowns.
“You help more than you know,” Annie assures him.
Mitchell holds her closer and kisses her forehead. “Tell me about your day,” he requests.
She does.
.
They’re on Mitchell’s bed again. Mitchell has just finished telling her about his day but all Annie can focus on is how good he feels this close to her. There are tingles moving across her skin and it’s such a wonderful sensation that she wants it to go on. Mitchell must notice she isn’t paying attention because he pokes her nose.
“You’re so far away,” he murmurs.
“I’m sorry,” she says, then laughs awkwardly. “I haven’t been able to focus very much today.”
“Is everything all right?” he asks with concern.
“Everything is perfect,” she answers. “Because of you. You make everything perfect.”
“You’re perfect all on your own, sweetheart,” Mitchell says.
Annie’s cheeks feel heated but she knows she isn’t blushing. She can’t be. The only explanation is that Mitchell makes it possible for her to feel things like that, things that she shouldn’t. “You’ve never called me that before,” she whispers.
“Do you not like it?” he asks.
“No, I do,” she says. “I like it very much.”
She bites her lip, wanting so much suddenly. It overwhelms her.
Mitchell turns, lying on his side, their chests pressing together as Annie leans forward. It makes her gasp and Mitchell chuckles.
“Kiss me,” she whispers. “I want you to.”
She doesn’t need to say another word. Mitchell’s mouth is against hers in an instant, his lips moving with just the right pressure and Annie lifts her hand onto his face. They’ve kissed before, but this is different. She isn’t pulling away this time. He isn’t making jokes. This is real, this is Annie and Mitchell on an entirely different level.
Annie finds herself on her back soon, and that is when she breaks the kiss, breathing shallowly out onto Mitchell’s face. She looks up at him, feeling so dizzy, but he looks so beautiful anyway.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “You’re uncomfortable.”
“No,” she gasps. “No, this is just new.”
“Annie, I love you,” Mitchell rasps.
Their eyes are locked in a stare and neither blinks for a while. Or, it seems like a while. Annie can’t make sense of time right now. Mitchell loves her. He’s said it. He’s said he loves her and this is what she wants. This is what she’s been waiting for, before the door and after it. She is sure of that much.
“I love you, too,” she whispers. “Oh, Mitchell, I love you.”
Her arms wrap around his neck, bringing him down into another kiss. She’s ecstatic. Mitchell loves her, just as she loves him. And she remembers loving him before. Maybe she’s always loved him, but now, now he loves her in return.
What a wonderful thing.
.
“So you’re together,” George says.
Annie holds Mitchell’s hand as they stand before their friend. “Yes,” she answers for Mitchell. “We’re together.”
“I love her,” Mitchell says.
George stares blankly at them and Annie isn’t sure how the werewolf will react. Not being able to read him makes her nervous.
“This is…” George begins quietly.
Annie readies herself for the yelling she’s sure will come from George.
“Wonderful!” George exclaims. “Absolutely brilliant! My two friends are in love! And now Nina and I can go on double dates with the two of you. Do you know how long I’ve wanted to go on a double date? It’s very difficult to find another couple, but you’re living with us and it’s all perfect!”
“So, you aren’t angry?” Mitchell asks.
“Angry?” George repeats. “I’m the farthest thing! You two! I had an inkling, but I never thought you’d actually let it happen.”
Annie starts to laugh. “I’m so relieved!”
George moves forward and embraces them both. “I can’t wait to tell Nina,” he says as he hugs them tighter. “We’re going to have a date night soon. It will be off the hook, just wait!”
Mitchell squeezes her hand and Annie smiles over at him.
“Definitely off the hook,” she agrees.
.
Annie sighs for the fourth time, bored as she waits for Mitchell to finish with his shower. He’s had another long day at work and is far too tense for her liking. She wants to make it better, but she doesn’t think tea will do it this time, even if it is the most amazing tea ever made. Yes, she knows she’s that good.
Still, she’s wracking her brains as she tries to come up with something to help her very wound up boyfriend. Annie smiles as she thinks that. Her boyfriend. Mitchell is her boyfriend, and she is his girlfriend. Just thinking it makes her giddy.
Maybe a massage? That might help. But, she’s never been good at giving massages. She twirls her hair around her finger as she thinks, and then it comes to her. Something they’ve both been wanting, even if Mitchell hasn’t told her. She knows. She’s been thinking about it for weeks now and she’s ready. She’s been daydreaming about it enough.
She doesn’t want to daydream any longer. Her cardigan disappears before she even leaves his bedroom, and her shoes soon follow. When she reaches the bathroom, all that’s left are her leggings and camisole. She stares at Mitchell’s shadow through the glass of the shower door and can nearly see his skin. Warmth begins to spread throughout her and she begins to grow nervous.
No, she can do this. She can.
When she slides the door open, she finds herself bare before his shocked gaze.
“Annie, you scared me!” he exclaims before his eyes leave her face and travel downward. When he looks back up at her, she giggles.
“Like what you see?” she asks, trying to sound sultry. She hopes she does. She feels a bit silly.
Mitchell is open-mouthed and wide-eyed as he nods.
It’s then that she walks right into the shower and pushes him up against the tiles. The door slides shut behind them and Annie grins up at him.
Mitchell stutters as he says her name and it makes her giggle. “Do you want me?” she asks softly.
His hands answer her question before anything else. They’re moving down her sides and behind her, rough fingertips drifting down her back and up. “Annie,” he whispers, his hands tangling into her now wet hair. “You’re so beautiful.”
“I love you,” she whispers back, kissing his throat. “I want you.”
She shrieks in surprise as Mitchell spins them around and pins her against the wall. He lifts her up and she wraps her legs around his hips. She doesn’t have time to say anything else as his mouth claims hers. All she can think of is how good it feels to have her bare skin pressed to Mitchell’s, to have him kiss her this desperately, to feel his hands holding her so roughly.
Later, they lie in his bed, their bodies still wet from the shower. The sheets are soaked beneath them but neither care. Their mouths and hands are busy exploring and Annie sighs Mitchell’s name and relaxes against him.
“Third time’s the charm,” she mumbles.
He’s rubbing her back as he chuckles. “You drive me crazy,” he murmurs. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
“I’m not complaining, I promise,” she says, then kissing his chin.
Mitchell rolls them over and pushes her hair away from her face. The way he is with her, so gentle after the way they were before, fills her up with adoration.
“Tingly,” he mumbles after he’s kissed her again.
“Cold?” she asks, licking his lips.
“Mm, no. Warm,” he answers and kisses her again.
.
George proposes to Nina and Annie remembers being proposed to. It ruins her mood and the night and she feels terrible, which explains why the power goes out. She sits in the corner of her room, holding her head as memories she would’ve preferred never to remember make themselves known again. Owen. Her lover. Her fiancé. Her killer.
“Annie, let me in,” Mitchell says as he knocks. “Please, sweetheart. It will be fine.”
“I need to be alone,” she says.
“Please,” he repeats.
She doesn’t answer, but somehow, she knows he stays outside that door. She knows that if she opens it, he will be there, but she doesn’t want to see Mitchell right now. She needs to be alone. She needs to sort out her thoughts. The more she tries to, the more memories return to her and it overwhelms her.
Annie isn’t sure how long she stays in that corner, but when she opens her eyes the power is back on and she is the only one home.
That night, she leaves her door unlocked and it’s no surprise when Mitchell turns the doorknob and lets himself in.
“Annie,” is all he says and then he is beside her, pulling her into his arms.
“I remember,” she mumbles into his shirt.
“I’m so sorry,” he murmurs, rubbing her back. “I wished you wouldn’t.”
“I remember… you,” she reveals. Mitchell’s hands still, but she doesn’t move. “I remember you there for me when I found out Owen killed me. I remember you there when Tully assaulted me. And you were there so many other times. You were always there, Mitchell. And I loved you then, I just didn’t know how much.”
“I loved you, too,” he whispers. “I just didn’t know how much either.”
She doesn’t really know why, but that makes her laugh and once she starts, she can’t stop. Soon, Mitchell is laughing along with her and they fall back onto the floor. They laugh and laugh until they stop and Annie reaches out, stroking Mitchell’s cheek.
“I’m happy that I remember,” she says. “Even the bad.”
“I wanted to be with you,” he says. “I wanted to hold you.”
“You’re here now. I need you now.”
“I will never leave,” he promises. “Annie, I will always be here.”
Annie smiles. “I know.”
.
“What was it like?” Mitchell asks one night months after her memory has returned.
Annie hums and pulls the blanket further up her bare body. “What?”
“Where you were, what was it like?” Mitchell clarifies.
Annie stops moving, and for a moment she is freezing. The memories of her time in purgatory still terrify her. Being locked in that room, not having any contact with anyone, slowly being driven mad… thinking about it causes actual pain.
“It was awful,” she whispers, moving further into Mitchell’s embrace. “There were drums playing. And there was screaming. I wished for death even though I was already death. Mitchell, I was alone and afraid, but then I didn’t know anything anymore and I think that was best.”
Mitchell holds her tighter. “I wish I had come sooner. It took me so long to find you.”
“You did find me, though,” she says. “You saved me.”
“When you left,” he begins. “When Kemp tore you away, I felt it. Annie, I felt you being taken from this world and from me. It was the worst pain I have ever experienced. It was as if a part of me had been ripped right out of me.”
“Mitchell, why didn’t you ever tell me?” she asks.
“I didn’t understand at first, but when I finally did, I was afraid to tell you,” he confesses. “I loved you. I wanted to make you happy. I didn’t want to speak of such things.”
“You felt me go,” she whispers and lifts her head.
“We’re connected, Annie. In a way I am not able to explain, but we are. You’re a part of me, truly.”
Annie kisses Mitchell softly and lingers. “I feel you,” she says. “Right now. And when we touch. Even if you’re in the next room.”
Mitchell smiles and she kisses him again, needing to feel that. Her body tingles with sensations only Mitchell is able to make her experience.
“Annie, you’re my heart,” Mitchell tells her softly.
“My love,” Annie murmurs.
“For eternity,” Mitchell swears. “It’s you and me.”
“We should focus on right now,” Annie says happily. “We have a wedding to get to in the morning.”
Mitchell laughs. “George has written my speech for me and made me promise not to change a single thing.”
“Oh, but you will,” Annie teases.
“Of course. And you’ll dance with me,” Mitchell says confidently.
Annie hums for a moment, pursing her lips in thought. “I don’t know,” she says. “There are so many other men who will want to dance with me.”
Mitchell growls and pulls her right against him. “You will be the death of me.”
Annie sighs dramatically and kisses Mitchell quickly. “Don’t be silly, Mitchell. Who would I cuddle with then? George?”
“Oh, the horror,” Mitchell drones. “He snores.”
Annie laughs loudly and settles herself into Mitchell’s embrace. “Sleep now,” she whispers. “We’re going to have a lovely day tomorrow.”
“And the next day,” Mitchell says as he yawns.
“And the next day,” she agrees.