Heavenly Bodies

Nathan and Cynthia Clark never reported their children as runaways. To the best of Steve’s knowledge, they never even tried to look for them.

He was okay with that. As far as he was concerned, his family now consisted of Lindsay, UV, and of course, Rachel. For him, it always came back to Rachel. Even now three years later, it was still all about Rachel for him. Lindsay was a senior in high school. UV had set them all up with new identifications. Steve didn’t ask where they came from. According to their new histories, Steve and Lindsay’s parents died in a car accident and Steve was awarded custody of his younger sister.

The four of them had moved into a home. It was small, but it was theirs. After the hell of Cradle Bay, they clung to whatever they could find to call their own. He and Rachel had jobs. All in all, life was what most considered normal.

It was good that it was that way. And most nights, ‘normal’ kept the nightmares at bay. But nights like tonight…

Steve sat up in bed, his shirtless body drenched in sweat. The scream didn’t quite pass his lips, but his shaking and labored breathing woke the woman sleeping beside him.

A feminine hand reached out to his shoulder. “It’s okay, Steve.”

He turned quickly, not sure where he was until he saw her face.
“Rachel.”

“C’mere,” she smiled, reaching out for him, and he never resisted the invitation.

Lying back down he rolled toward her and kissed her deeply. When they finally parted for air, he said, “It’s the same dream.”

Lightly, she caressed his face. “They’re dead. They’re all gone.”

His head rested in her neck. “I know. But sometimes…”

“Ssh…” She kissed him again, and this time, one kiss led to another, which led to lovemaking. At times like these, the need for physical closeness was overwhelming. And afterwards, he was always too tired to have the nightmares.

But, he could talk. He needed to talk, and Rachel was the perfect listener. It’s how they knew they were meant for one another. He talked; she listened.

They had survived so much, come so far, and they’d done so together.
The hell that was Cradle Bay was behind them. The memories still lingered on, perhaps they always would. Steve resigned himself to the fact that he may always have the nightmares.

But there was one thing that was for certain…

He would always have Rachel with him. His heart… his soul…

His wife.

Finis