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Post by FicWriter on Nov 12, 2008 16:42:39 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 1/44
"Juraj, have you finished your packing yet? Tata will be home soon, and I want it done before he gets here." The slender woman paused with the sweater she was folding in her hands as she looked towards the bedroom door, then shook her head when there was no immediate response. "Maja...two toys...no more...I told you that already." She lay the sweater on top of the clothes already in the suitcase as her attention turned to the five year old girl trying to shove yet another stuffed animal in her already full backpack.
"But I need them." She stressed the need before continuing, her dark eyes radiating the seriousness of her next words. "Tata said it was all right and I can't leave them home alone."
Brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, the woman let her eyes settle on her daughter. "Maja..." Anything else that might have been said was lost to the sound of the opening door downstairs and the small girl's yell of delight as she abandoned the toys and fled the room.
"Tata's home!"
It had been a long shift and today more then most he had found that almost a relief. He rolled his shoulders as he pushed the door open, feeling the ache of tired muscles even as he accepted that sleep would not be coming anytime soon.
"Tata!" His daughter's scream of welcome reached him only a moment before she launched herself at him and with a smile he let his bag drop and swept her into his arms.
"Where's Mama?" He offered her a kiss before shifting her to his hip as he closed the door behind him.
"Upstairs packing...you have to tell her it's okay for all my babies to go with me."
"I'll talk to her..." His face dimpled into a smile as he sat her on the ground. "Is Juraj upstairs too?" He grabbed his bag from beside the door and carried it into the livingroom before dropping it and heading for the stair, only to stop again as his son came around the corner ahead of him.
"Hey!" The ten year old's resemblance to his father was obvious, the inherited height already showing itself.
"Hey, yourself....are you packed?" He asked the question even as the boy moved into his arms, tolerating the kiss he knew would follow.
"Almost, I'm trying to find my good sneakers...Mama says I can't wear these." He dropped his eyes to the scuffed pair he wore as he freed himself from his father's embrace.
"Try under the couch...and turn the television on for your sister would you? I need to change and mediate a toy dispute." He ruffled the boy's hair before letting him pass.
"Thanks, Tata. The remainder of what he said was lost to the sound of his sneakers hitting the landing as he jumped down the remaining half dozen steps.
Taking the rest of the stairs up two at a time he stopped as he rounded the corner to the bedroom. "Having fun?" He paused to lean against the doorframe as he watched his wife struggle to close the bulging bag on the bed.
"Very funny, you could help you know?" Her accent flowered the words as she matched his teasing. "Your daughter is trying my patience today." She stepped aside to let him tackle the bag then moved into his arms as he finished, her lips finding his in a welcoming kiss.
"So I heard." He tucked the fallen lock of black hair behind her ear.
"Luka, she can't take all of her toys." She gave him a second kiss before laying her hand gently on his face. "You look tired, rough shift?"
He shook his head in dismissal, "Not that bad, and I'll sleep on the plane. I do need to shower though, and maybe some coffee?" He let the expectation of an already brewed pot reflect in the question.
"You should eat something before we have to go to the airport, I'll fix something while you shower and change." She let her hand brush back through the gray at his temple before dropping her hand with a smile. "Then we can decide how to break the news to your daughter about her toys..."
to be continued...
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Post by suzanne on Nov 12, 2008 19:58:26 GMT 10
Very nice start!! I read the other fic aswell and am looking forward to where this one leads!! Update soon!!
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 13, 2008 10:29:47 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 2/44
"Maja...are you going to eat that sandwich or just play with it?" Alenka glanced over to where the small girl sat at the table, before returning her attention to what she was doing.
"Tata always cuts it in 4 pieces." She pulled the remaining crust from the cheese sandwich in her hand as if her comment answered what her mother had asked.
"I am not Tata...now eat it." At the sound of footsteps on the stairs she reached for the empty coffeecup on the counter and filled it, then carried it and the plate she had been working on to the table.
"Just in time?" Luka stifled a yawn before pulling out the chair next to his daughter and taking a seat. "So..what are we having?" He took in the sandwich on his own plate as his wife sat it in front of him then accepted the coffeecup as she handed it to him. "Thank you...I need this."
"I thought you might." She offered a smile to him before looking back over to the little girl as she pulled the cheese from between the slices of bread that made up her sandwich. "Maja..." Then shook her head as she decided it wasn't worth the argument.
"Juraj already ate?" He asked the question as he swallowed then sat the cup on the table and reached for his own sandwich.
"He wasn't hungry, I think he's eager to go." Pouring a cup of coffee for herself she took a seat opposite from him. "We'll need to leave within the hour."
He nodded in agreement as he chewed, then lay it back on the plate to reach for his cup again. "What about you? It's been a long time." He took a sip then extended his hand only to lay it on top of hers.
"More nervous I think...so much will have changed." She turned her hand to lace her fingers in his. "I wonder if we'll even recognize it."
"I don't know...you're not having second thoughts about going are you?" He searched her eyes for the signs.
Swallowing she shook her head. "No..I need this as much as you do." She offered a smile to reassure him. "If it wasn't for them we wouldn't be here now."
"Come here." He raised her hand letting a smile enter his face as she rose in compliance. As he moved to make space for her on his lap her smile joined his. "Have I told you how much I love you?" He let his eyes settleon hers with the question.
In response she leaned over to kiss him sliding one arm around his neck. "I could never bring myself to go back..." She whispered the confession quietly to him.
"I know, it's all right...we'll do it together." He returned her kiss then looked over as he felt a pull on his sleeve.
"Me too Tata..."
"You too..and Juraj..." He returned his attention to his wife as she lay her head on his shoulder, letting his fingers run through her hair as he studied her.
"Is Mama sad?" The small girl asked the question even as she abandoned her lunch and slid off the chair to move over to them. "Don't be sad Mama..." She lay her hand on her Mother's arm in shared empathy.
"Maja..can you go find Juraj and help him bring the bags down by the door while I talk to Mama?" Luka shifted his attention for a moment, hoping to give his wife some of the privacy he felt she needed, then as the girl nodded and ran off he turned back to her. "We can cancel if you aren't ready to do this." He made the offer even as he knew she would refuse.
"No, Luka..it's been twenty-five years...we said we would do this for them...for us...I'll be all right." She lifted her head then kissed him again. "We both need this, and the children deserve to see where we were born. We've never hidden our pasts from them...I want them to have a chance to see the places we've talked about."
He nodded in agreement to her words then lifted one of his hands to rub his eye. "It won't be easy for either of us will it?" He asked the question softly.
"Probably not...but Danijela, Jasna, and Marko have always been a part of who you are in the same way that Damir and Neven will always be a part of me...now, it's time we said good-bye." She brushed her fingers through his hair, then allowed a faint smile to find her. "It's time Luka..."
to be continued...
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Post by suzanne on Nov 13, 2008 11:10:55 GMT 10
Nice update!! Can't wait to see what happens when they get there!!
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 14, 2008 1:59:38 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 3/44
"The Captain has turned off the seatbelt sign, feel free to get up and move around the cabin, however for your own safety...."
As the Stewardess made her announcement Luka popped the buckle on his seatbelt and turned slightly sideways, offering a smile to his daughter as she watched him stretch his legs out to fill the space in front of her seat. The fatigue of having pulled four shifts in the last three days had finally caught up with him and he knew it wouldn't be long before he was forced to give into the sleep his body needed.
"Tata, can I sit with you?" The dark haired girl was already unbuckling her seatbelt with the question.
"Maja, let Tata go to sleep, you're fine where you are." Alenka found herself intervening even as she helped their son pull his bag out from under his seat.
"It's all right." Luka stifled a yawn before moving to make room for the small girl. "Come here, Beba."
"Luka, you won't be able to sleep with her crawling all over you." She tried not to let her concern reflect too strongly in her tone as she watched their daughter drag her stuffed cat with her onto his lap.
"Right now I don't think anything will keep me from sleeping." He offered in an attempt to reassure her before sliding one arm around the girl then raising the other to prop his head in his palm. "She'll be fine." As if that alone settled it, he smothered another yawn, then closed his eyes with a soft sigh. Taking her cue from her father, Maja lay back contentedly against his chest, letting her dark eyes pass briefly to her mother before turning her attention to her cat.
"Tata will miss the movie." Juraj commented with concern even as he adjusted his headphones in anticipation of the novelty of the in-flight movie.
"You can tell him about it later, he needs to get some sleep now." Alenka glanced over to her husband, then smiled as she saw that in the brief span of their exchange, Maja had turned to lay facing him, letting one arm drape around his neck as the other wrapped around her cat.
"Mama..." Juraj paused a moment as he reconsidered what he had started to stay. "Are you sad to be going back?"
His question caught her off guard but Alenka had known it would eventually come, the boy was like his father in that. How many timeshas she read the same look in her husband's eyes before he gave voice to something he had been concerned about. She reached over to brush his bangs off his face as she weighed her answer, though in the end she knew she would give him nothing but the truth. "A little, but not in a bad way."
The boy frowned slightly at her answer. "Because you don't know what it'll be like?"
"Partially." Alenka nodded. "When I left Croatia, the war was still going on." She lowered her voice and leaned closer to him so her words would be for him alone. "Unlike Tata, I've never gone back, so I know how it was before...and during the war, or at least how I remember it. I know what he has told me has changed about it..." She paused and offered him a smile as she saw the seriousness in his face. "You don't have to worry Juraj, both Tata and I want this to be a happy time for you and Maja, not one you'll remember in sadness."
"But it'll be sad....for you and Tata." He let his dark eyes settle on his mothers.
"In some ways, yes." She reached across to take his hand in hers, knowing that she and Luka from the very first had decided to be nothing but honest with the children about their shared pasts.
"Like when we go to see the graves." He offered the comment even more quietly.
"Yes, that'll be sad for both of us." She dropped her eyes to their hands for a moment then lifted them to his face again.
"It'll be all right, Mama." He scooted closer so that he could lean against her. "Maja and I will take care of you both."
Luka shifted slightly as his daughter settled herself more comfortably, letting his hand splay across her back. The past several days had affected each of them and his need to pick up extra shifts to compensate for those he would miss while gone meant that many of the children's concerns had fallen to Alenka.
"Tata...are you sleeping?" He eased his eyes open drowsily at the small girl's quiet question.
"Not yet." He let his hand rub across her back to ease her closer to the sleep he knew was coming. "You can't sleep?" He kept his voice so low that none but her would know they were talking. She shook her head and he could feel her playing in the hair at the back of his neck as she lay there in silence. "What is it Beba?" He repositioned himself so he could fold both arms around her. "Maja?"
"We'll come back home won't we?" She raised her head so she could look at him, her fear at the possibility that he might say no reflected in her eyes.
"Of course we will, why would you think we wouldn't? He lifted a hand to stroke her hair with the question.
"Mama said it was hard to leave before..." She let the question trail off as she lowered her head to his chest again.
"Maja...Beba" He stilled his hand a moment. "It was hard for both of us to leave, but that was a long time ago, before we met each other and before we had you and Juraj." He lowered his head to kiss her then rested his forehead against hers. His answer must have been all the confirmation she needed and she snuggled closer, signaling an end to the conversation, when she closed her eyes he found it easy to do the same.
Between the hum of the plane and his daughter's breathing, Luka had little difficulty regaining the edge of sleep Maja had roused him from. He had been surprised that the approach of their departure had brought none of the anticipated nightmares that had preceded earlier trips. Yes, there had been dreams, memories of his life with Danijela and the children, Alenka had experienced the same in regards to her husband and son, but it was something both had known would come. That they shared marriages of love and loss was something neither could deny, but it was just that shared tragedy that had brought them together in a way neither could have expected.
Was it possible that six months had already passed since the night Angelique Forquet had reentered his life? Luka brushed his hand back through his hair as he pulled the car into the Church parking lot. In the time since he had been forced to face parts of his life he had avoided for far too many years and the revelations exposed had forever changed him. He could never repay the woman for the sacrifices she had made in that first month, nor for those that had come since, neither would he ever be able to repay Father Joe for helping him regain the comfort of his faith.
It was in truth, the combination of those things which had finally forced him to accept that his relationship with Abby could never work, and less then a month earlier he had finally broken it off with her. In a way he had wondered at the time if she had reached a similar conclusion even before he did, and when he told her she had seemed neither surprised nor upset with his decision. In the month since he had if anything seen only a strengthening of their still strong, friendship.
He had known the Survivors Support Group met monthly, Father Joe had made sure of it, but whether it was his work schedule or his own fear he had never attended. When he received the current church bulletin he couldn't help but notice that the announcement had been highlighted, subtlety was not the Priest's strength. That he had somehow also been given the night off from work had left him wondering if a higher intervention was at work.
As he opened the door to the rectory he was immediately greeted by the sounds of multiple conversations in as many different languages. Small groups of people were clustered around the entryway and a feeling of warmth seemed to fill it. Pausing for a moment he let his eyes sweep through those assembled for the Priest.
"Luka, you made it." He turned to the welcoming voice, a smile crossing his face as he watched the man extract himself from the group he was with before making his way over.
"Father." Luka took the extended hand.
"I'm glad you decided to join us, are you hungry? There are some wonderful homemade cookies...." He lay a hand on his back already angling him in the direction of the table of refreshments before he had a chance to respond.
The two women behind the table were sharing some private joke and it was the taller of the two's laugh which stopped him. In that brief instant he felt the abandon that had been in another's and deep inside a memory of Danijela was triggered. He wiped his hand across his face as it was gone almost as quickly, then took the two in. Both women were dark, the taller with hair so black there was almost a blue cast to it, her eyes large and a deep brown. If he had to guess he would place her age close to his own, though he saw in her eyes a look that spoke of one who might be older. The other had to be closer to 40, a good head shorter and her skin speaking of a Hispanic ethnicity.
"Rosalie, Alenka, I'd like you to meet someone." Luka found himself dropping his assessments as the Priest began to speak.
"Si, Father." Rosalie offered a smile as did the taller woman as she nodded her agreement before turning her attention to him.
"Rosalie de Vega." He motioned to the first, then to the second, "Alenka Ostovic, I'd like you to meet Luka Kovac."
to be continued...
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 15, 2008 2:48:29 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 4/44
In the weeks since that first meeting he'd found his attraction to Alenka growing. Where once he had delayed going to the church until the Mass was almost ready to begin, he now found himself going early in hopes that he might get a moment to talk to her before the service. Likewise he no longer was among the first to flee the church at Masses end, and instead he found himself looking forward to the casual conversation that would accompany the coffee and snacks served in the Rectory.
He would never know the moment he knew he wanted it to be more, and so it was one Sunday after Mass that he sought her out as she was pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"Alenka?" He spoke quietly as he approached her.
"Luka." She offered a warm smile before picking up an empty cup and filling it for him. "You look like you could use this, did you work last night?"
As he took the offered cup he nodded, surprised that she had noticed. "My shift ended at six." He lifted the cup and took a sip.
"Don't you think you should be heading home to get some sleep then?" She took a sip from her own coffee before letting her eyes sweep over him.
Sliding one hand in his pants pocket he let his eyes drop to the cup he held in the other before raising them to her again. Why was he so nervous about this? He took a fortifying sip of the coffee. "I wanted to see you..."
In the moment that passed before she spoke they might very well have been the only two people in the room. Her face flushed slightly as she first dropped her eyes to her own cup, then raised them again at his scrutiny.
"And now you have." She offered a shy smile, unable to suppress the butterflies that she was sure filled her.
"Alenka...I wondered..." He found himself stumbling over the words as if he had never spoken to a woman before. "Would you let me take you to dinner?" There he had done it....now, if he could only remember to breathe while he waited for her to answer.
The flush to her face deepened as did her smile before she nodded. "I'd like that."
That they would take things slow was never voiced, but seemingly mutually understood and over the weeks that followed they both relaxed considerably and soon became almost inseparable. Knowing what he did of her past Luka had made no attempt to kiss her as yet and the similarity to his courtship of Danijela was not lost on him.
As the cabin lights dimmed to mark the start of the movie Alenka rose, pulling one of the airplanes blankets from the overhead bin before covering Luka and Maja as they slept. That her husband didn't stir at the action revealed just how tired he really was and with a smile she touched his face before returning to her seat.
She had never thought she would find anyone who stirred the emotions in her the way Damir had, or that she would know again the feeling of holding a child to her breast, She slipped her arm around their son as he seemed to sense the change in her and leaned comfortably into her.
"Mama?" Juraj pulled his attention from the movie to her for a moment.
"I'm fine....just thinking, watch the movie." She squeezed him to her before releasing him again. The film immediately drew him back into it and with a sigh she leaned back and closed her eyes, hoping sleep found her as easily as it had Luka.
It was the first time she had invited him to her house and she was nervous...nervous, no, she had passed nervous more then an hour ago, what if she made a fool of herself. For the umpteenth time she checked her appearance in the mirror and debated whether she should change from the simple plaid skirt and dark sweater she wore. What if he expected something dressier...or something more revealing? She was too old for this... it had been different when she was a young girl and had met Damir...then she had her whole life ahead of her.
She brushed the thoughts of her husband from her mind and instead returned to the kitchen, turning her attention to the pot of bean soup simmering on the stove. She had decided to make their meal one of those she had enjoyed as a child...and as she stirred the soup she found her concerns fading. Her impressions of him had always been good ones, why should she think that would change? She withdrew the spoon and recovered the pot before checking the sausage and potato casserole. He was due anytime..had she forgotten anything?
The sound of the doorbell put an end to her worries and she moved quickly to answer it. "Luka." She let her smile fill her face as she greeted him, then stepped aside to let him enter. "I hope you're hungry..."
to be continued...
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Post by suzanne on Nov 15, 2008 2:51:41 GMT 10
Update soon, can't wait to see what happens!!
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 16, 2008 2:17:49 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 5/44
Alenka couldn't help but smile as the memory unfolded in her dreams, they had both been so cautious...so fearful...
"Are you sure you don't want another serving?" She found herself already reaching for the dish as Luka brought his last forkful to his mouth.
"I'm sure...I've already eaten way too much." He lay the fork on his plate before sitting back in his chair. "It was wonderful...I don't know the last time I had anything this good. Thank you."
Alenka smiled at the compliment, feeling the blush rise in her cheeks. "Why don't you go have a seat in the livingroom. I'll put some coffee on and clear these dishes away." At the request she rose and reached for his empty plate.
"Here, let me help." Luka rose as well, only to have her wave his offer off.
"You're my guest..go on, I can do it, it won't take a minute." She smiled before stacking her plate on his.
She knew her blush had to be worsening in that moment when he hesitated, torn between arguing or complying, and when he finally smiled then nodded she could do little more then smile in return.
Whatever fears she'd had about his intentions were dispelled when she entered the livingroom not ten minutes later and found him asleep on the couch. That he was sitting with his long legs stretched out before him and the newspaper on his lap, said it was not what he had intended. Setting the tray with the coffee and cookies on the table she unfolded the afghan that lay draped over the couchback beside him, then covered him with it.
He'd mentioned over dinner that he had worked an extra shift when one of the other doctors had called in sick, was it possible he hadn't been home since? As she took a seat in the chair opposite she wondered if she would have the courage to allow herself to fall asleep and risk the nightmares revealing themselves to another. Had he, without saying so felt her trustworthy enough to allow himself to chance that?
She had never thought she would find anyone who would understand what her life was like, but the more time she spent with Luka the more she was sure he would. How many times had they spoke of their time in Croatia only to realize that they could easily have been speaking of the same thing? How could she ever tell him what it meant to not have to explain every nuance of her feelings?
As he began to stir she let her thoughts about what might be fade, and as he rubbed a hand sleepily across his face to rouse himself she couldn't help but smile. "Did you have a good nap?"
A bump of turbulence woke her and she immediately glanced across the aisle to see if it had woken Luka and Maja as well. When she was satisfied it had not she turned her attention to their son, brushing her fingers through his hair. "How's the movie?"
"Good..." He momentarily shifted his attention to her though she knew he was far too involved to keep it on her for long.
"Are you hungry? I brought some snacks." She leaned forward to pull her bag from under the seat with the question.
"A little...but I can wait." He laughed at something on the screen then flicked his eyes back to her as she touched his arm before handing a package of fruit snacks to him. "Thanks, Mama."
With his interest back on the movie she found it hard not to turn her attention to her husband again. While he had barely moved she could see that Maja had, crawling higher so her head now rested on his shoulder, the cat lost as she wrapped both arms around him. There were times she couldn't help but feel jealous of the relationship the two had, but from the moment of her birth it seemed she had him wrapped around her finger. How many nights had she woke to find him standing by the window with her in his arms, whispering quietly of things only they would know? It had been hard not to wonder if he was comparing her to Jasna, but then he might think the same of her and how she looked at Juraj. How could they not look for similarities to their other children in these? As they had gotten older that had changed, but there were moments she knew it still happened, and they would both forever wonder how those they had lost would have grown had the war not claimed them so young. She raised a hand to stop the tears that threatened to fall at the thoughts.
"Mama?" Juraj's hand on her arm pulled her attention back to him. "Are you all right?"
"Yes...just remembering...don't worry." She leaned her shoulder to his and slid her arm around him. "Watch your movie." She kissed his hair before settling back to watch with him. The past would always be part of them,neither could deny that, and she knew she would always revisit it as Luka did his, but their future was here and it was that thought that made the moments of sadness bearable.
to be continued...
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 16, 2008 11:03:02 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 6/44
Juraj knew better then to press his mother for more then she was willing to give, but as he turned back to the movie he found his attention wavering. It seemed that he had always known his parents were different from those of his friends, and most of the time he could forget it. It had been harder when he was little, when all he saw was their sadness, or when he woke to the sounds of their nightmares only to be sent back to bed with reassurances that they were fine. He had known even then it wasn't true, that they only wanted to ease his fears, but how could he tell them that? When they had finally felt him old enough to understand they had shared the truth and while it had not been easy he had adapted as they seemed to know he would.
Over time he had learned when he could ask for more and when he should step back. He had learned to accept that there were times when they would lose themselves to their memories or grief. He knew too that there were times when one or the other became quieter and the small black and white photographs that sat on the mantle would draw them into them.
It had been harder to accept that they were so much more protective of him then were the parents of his friends. Hard to understand that to them his being even ten minutes late would seem a lifetime. He leaned more comfortably against his mother with the thoughts, then lay his hand over hers as her arm circled around him.
"You all right, Beba?" She asked the question quietly then kissed his hair as he nodded. These were his parents and with all their differences there was one thing he never had reason to doubt.
"I love you, Mama," He spoke for her alone, then smiled as his words were met with a tightening of her arm and another kiss in return.
"I love you too, Juraj."
"It's all right, Beba...Tata's got you." Luka reassured his daughter as his efforts to reposition himself caused her to moan softly in her sleep. Drawing one foot onto her abandoned seat, he settled on his back, before coiling his arms more securely around her. Had he not been so tired he might have wondered how it was that a time that should have brought dreams of loss, instead brought those of love. Was this the indication of how far they had come? He released a soft sigh of acceptance as his breaths slowed to match those of his daughter and he let sleep draw him to her again.
Since the loss of his family Luka had grown to dread the approach of the holidays. In years past he had willingly taken extra shifts so he wouldn't have to dwell on what was no longer there, and he had every reason to believe this year would be the same.
The rapping on the hotel door stirred him from sleep and with a groan he raised his head to look at the clock...7:25pm...he groaned louder and let his head drop again, knowing he was due back in the ER at 11:00pm. The rapping was repeated and he rubbed sleep from his eyes before tossing the bedding aside and sitting on the edge of the bed. "Coming." He drug his hand back through his hair as he stood, the action only seeming to worsen the unruliness of it. The fact that he had only been asleep for less then two hours was not lost on him as he opened the door. "What is it?" He paused, dropping the hand he had wiped across his face as he realized who it was. "Alenka?"
"I'm sorry....I should have called first." Her dark eyes quickly took in his appearance and her face flushed slightly in embarrassment "I was out shopping and thought I'd take a chance that you were home...I didn't think that you might be sleeping." She offered a smile as she raised one of the bags she held. "I brought dinner in case you were hungry."
"Um..no problem...come on in." He moved aside to let her pass him, fully aware that he stood there in the wrinkled shirt and sweat pants he'd been sleeping in.
"Luka...I can leave this and go...I should have called." Alenka smiled again giving him the chance to still refuse.
"No...please...stay. I'm just not awake yet." He closed the door to emphasize the point only to have an unexpected yawn break from him. "I'm sorry." He shook his head as she couldn't help but laugh. "Let me go throw some water on my face and change, then we'll see if I can be a better host." He offered the last even as he moved to the dresser and began to pull a change of clothing out of it.
"Luka, you don't have to apologize and you certainly don't have to change. I'm the one who should for showing up unannounced." She dropped all but one of the bags on the coffee table by the couch as she spoke.
"Yeah, I do...make yourself comfortable, I won't be long." His comment was punctuated by still another yawn and prompted another laugh from her.
"I did remember coffee if that'll help." She said as she struggled to contain her humor, her attention moving to the contents of the bag as she pulled the assorted containers out.
Whatever else he planned to say was lost to a third yawn and he shook his head in mock surrender as it ended. "Ok, I give up...be right back."
When he emerged from the bathroom less then five minutes later she had the table set and the smells which filled the room were enough to make him forget he was still tired. "That smells wonderful."
"Good, because I brought plenty." She glanced over to him, taking in his damp hair and freshly shaven face. Dropping her eyes back to the table she uncovered one of the bowls then lay a chunk of homemade bread on a napkin next to it. "Come, eat."
As he walked over to her Luka already knew that what he really wanted was not the meal she had spread onto the table. "Alenka?" He paused in front of her, then lifted a hand to tentatively touch her cheek with his fingertips. As his eyes met hers he was sure that the nervousness he was feeling was equally present in her and he swallowed, giving her a moment to register his action. When she said nothing and instead offered only the slightest of nods in consent he leaned in to kiss her. In that moment he would swear that time stopped and the one thing he had feared he would never know again was realized. The very thing that Angelique had assured him would one day find him had come true, and he let the kiss deepen with the realization.
to be continued...
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 17, 2008 4:14:04 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 7/44
It was easy to let her thoughts wander in the dark quiet of the plane and as the movie once more drew Juraj into it, Alenka let the memories come...
Over the years she had found that she could almost forget how lonely she was as she lost herself in holiday preparations. When friends would need baking done, or special gifts made for their celebrations they knew they only need ask and she would gladly take the tasks on herself. In truth it was her way of forgetting, her way of not having to think of how it had been before her husband and son had died...before she had been left alone at a time when she should have been surrounded by family. She had accepted their offers to dinner and family gatherings while all the while knowing what she really wanted was one of her own. This year though was different, and without even knowing when it had happened, she had begun not to see Damir and Neven in her thoughts of the holidays, but rather Luka. Like icicles on a warm winter's day, the heart she had long thought frozen, had begun to thaw.
In their time together they spoke often of the families they had lost, sharing each other's pain, allowing words to comfort when she knew she wanted more. When had she begun to wish he would hold her, wish he would whisper the reassurance to her that he would always be there for her? When had she begun to look at him and wonder what it would be like to feel his lips against hers?
She smashed her fist into the bread dough on the table as the thought of what had always been unthinkable rose. All these years she had remained true to her love for her husband, how could she possibly think she could feel that way again? She knew others claimed to have found someone else...was it possible that the same might be true for her?
The thoughts lingered as she baked, her feelings torn between vows to a long dead husband and the awakening of feelings for someone new. What if he had none of the feelings for her? What if his loyalty to his wife was stronger then hers was to her husband? How could she know what he was feeling without revealing her own feelings, more importantly, was she willing to risk losing his friendship and companionship if she did?
As she pulled the fresh bread from the oven she knew she had to see him, and what better excuse to use then to feed him? She found herself smiling at the thought. She often worried that he didn't take good enough care of himself, something she was sure he would deny, but the truth was there in how he lived. She wrapped one of the loaves then set it aside as she pulled a bowl from the cabinet and filled it with the stew she had simmering on the stove.
The next hour would always come as a blur, she remembered that she had tended to some last minute shopping while she tried to decide what she would say when she arrived at his door. When he had delayed in answering her knock she had almost left...almost, but instead she had repeated the knock and heard his answering call, still heavy with sleep, in response. His appearance as he had opened the door had caught her breath...what had she been thinking? Even to her own ears her excuse had seemed weak, but he had taken her for her word and instead of sending her away had welcomed her inside. Her embarrassment had to be noticeable to him, but was it simply that, or something far deeper?
It had almost been a relief when he had excused himself, allowing her in those few minutes to try and compose herself. Even as she tried to suppress it she couldn't deny that the flutter was there...the flutter she was sure had died all those years ago. When he had reappeared the feeling surged with a force that made her wonder if it had ever fully left her. She tried to ignore it and maybe she would have succeeded, if only he hadn't touched her. She'd known he was walking over, every movement he made seemingly in slow motion. When he stopped in front of her she had almost made herself believe it was no different then all of those other times....if only he hadn't touched her. As hers eyes met his she saw in that instant what she knew she was feeling, and as she nodded in silent consent to his unasked question the physical confirmation was there as well.
Nothing else existed in that moment of their first kiss and as she slid her hand around his neck she knew she had finally been given a second chance at love. As the kiss deepened she was aware of the small things...the scent of his aftershave, the feel of his wet hair against her fingers, the taste of his toothpaste...and most noticeable, the comfort of his arms as he held her. This was what she had missed the most, she was sure of that now, and as his hold on her tightened she couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same.
As she revisited their courtship Alenka found herself smiling, opening her eyes she let them fall on her husband. Was it possible she could love him any more then she did, even after all these years? As an unexpected bounce rocked the plane the static of the intercom broke the silence and into her thoughts.
"The Captain expects us to be experiencing some turbulence, for your own safety please make sure your seatbelts are fastened."
When neither Luka nor Maja stirred to the announcement Alenka unbuckled her own belt and rose...as she reached them she touched her husband's shoulder gently. "Luka." When he did little more then turn away from her with the grumbled protest of one still lost to sleep she couldn't help but smile before trying again. "Luka, you need to wake up for a minute." As he turned to her and opened his eyes her smile deepened before she reached down to lift Maja off of him. "The Captain turned the seatbelt sign on, you need to buckle up, I'll take care of Maja."
" 'Kay.." The word came quietly, his voice still heavy with interrupted sleep. As Alenka took their daughter from him he pulled his foot from the seat, sitting up as he did.
"Shh...Beba." Alenka soothed the still sleeping girl as she settled her back in her own seat. Once she had refastened her belt she tucked the blanket around her, then bent to pick up the discarded cat before turning her attention back to Luka. It was obvious that he was still in the fog of half sleep and while he had sat up enough to fasten his own belt, he was already easing back towards full sleep. Pulling a second blanket from the overhead, she lay it over him.
"Thanks..." He reopened his eyes as she covered him.
"You're welcome...do you need anything else before I sit back down?" As she asked the question she reached down to brush sleep tousled hair off his face.
"No..I think I'll go back to sleep. Juraj all right?" He lifted his hand to hers.
"He's fine."
"You?" The question came more softly as his eyes settled firmly on hers.
"I'm doing all right..sleep now, we'll talk later." She offered a smile then brushed her thumb across his fingers before drawing her hand away and returning to her seat. As she glanced back over to him she saw he had already turned into the window, the blanket pulled up over his shoulder as he tried to make his lanky frame comfortable in the cramped space allotted. She watched him for several more minutes as he shifted and resettled, then finally found a position that allowed the much needed sleep to find him. Not surprisingly, with his peace came hers, and with a sigh she leaned back in her own seat to let sleep claim her as well.
to be continued...
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 18, 2008 2:07:38 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 8/44
With the approach of Christmas, Luka's schedule had tightened dramatically and without realizing it Alenka found herself counting the minutes until she saw him again like an anxious schoolgirl. It had seemed since the moment of his kiss their relationship had only grown stronger. As she dressed for Midnight Mass she couldn't help feeling how fitting it seemed that they would share the faith that had brought them together on this of all nights.
As she adjusted the collar on the forest green dress she'd chosen to wear, she marveled at the fact that she found so little of the sadness that had dominated the holidays in years past. How was it possible that one man could erase almost ten years of loneliness? Picking up the jeweled barrette from the dresser top she pulled her hair back off her face and clipped it.
How long had it been since she had worried about how others saw her? How long since she had dressed with someone else in mind? She smiled at her reflection with the thought, then picked up the small white box that lay next to where the barrette had been.
It hadn't been easy to decide what she would give Luka for their first Christmas together. She'd found herself worrying over it for weeks, quickly disregarding the obvious of food and clothing. How many stores had she walked through hoping that something would catch her eye as being just right? She'd passed over the unlimited number of knickknacks, browsed far too many books, wavered briefly when his cologne had drawn her to it, then passed on that as well. No, she'd always known it would have to be something that would mean as much to her as it did to him, and her search had continued.
Removing the lid she caught the gold chain with her fingers and lifted the antique crucifix from the small box. She hadn't planned to go into the cluttered junk shop the day she had found it, but as she walked from the El, something in the packed window had drawn her attention and in curiosity she had entered. The elderly woman inside greeted her as if she were a long lost friend, and the store seemed to radiate the warmth of her Grandmother's kitchen on a cold winter's day. It was there she had found it, hidden, almost buried in a small wooden showcase that held trinkets of so many other's pasts.
That their faith bound them together as strongly as their shared pasts was something neither she nor Luka could deny. The fact that he had only rediscovered his such a dramatic contrast to the way she had clung to hers to keep her from drowning in the years before she had found him. What better gift then one which would remind him of that which had brought them together?
She lay the necklace back in the box as he glance fell on the clock on the dresser. Luka's shift was scheduled to end at eleven, with the commute he would pick her up in twenty minutes, time enough to wrap the gift so she could give it to him before Mass.
The plane was dark as Maja woke and in that moment of confusion she knew what she wanted. Sitting up she rubbed the remaining sleep from her eyes, her lip trembling slightly as she unbuckled her belt and crawled across the seat to where her father slept.
"Tata?" She touched him tentatively, her voice quiet, a habit born out of experience. "Tata?" She repeated his name even as he came awake, her eyes finding his in the dim light.
"What's the matter, Beba?" He turned to allow her room to settle on his lap, then folded his arms around her as he lay a kiss on her hair.
"I don't want to sit alone." She lay her head on his shoulder as she slid her arms around him, her actions saying what words had yet to say.
"Did you have a bad dream?" He asked the question quietly as he rubbed her back soothingly.
"No..." The hesitation in her voice caused him to move his hand to her hair.
"Maja...what is it?" Without thought the last vestiges of sleep fell away as his concern for his daughter overrode them.
When she spoke finally her voice held a hesitancy to it. "You won't leave me in Croatia like you had to leave Jasna and Marko..and Mama left Neven..will you?"
Her words hit him with the force of a semi and Luka immediately tightened his hold on the small girl, burying his face against her. "Beba...no...nothing is going to happen to you." How could he have thought someone so young could fully understand?
"Maja...what happened to Jasna and Marko..what happened to Neven..." He drew a breath to calm himself as he struggled for the words to continue. "There was a war going on, but that's been over for a long time." He went back to rubbing her back as he attempted to ease her fears. "Beba...Mama and I will keep you safe, just as we always have. I promise you. " He couldn't stop the catch that broke his voice as he uttered the vow, the knowledge that he had failed in the same promise before still with him after so many years. It's not the same. He forced the thought to override the memory as he lay his cheek to his daughter's hair. "Tata will keep you safe, Beba."
He grew quiet as his daughter toyed with the chain of the crucifix he wore around his neck, giving her time to absorb his words. When her hand stilled and her breathing slowed to signal a return to sleep, he knew the crisis had passed, her fears had been eased...at least for now....
to be continued...
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 18, 2008 17:38:02 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 9/44
Maybe it was the lingering threads from his conversation with his daughter, maybe trepidation of their return as a family to Croatia, but whatever the reason, Luka found a return to sleep eluding him. The cabin of the plane was quiet, and with the lights dimmed most of those aboard had slipped easily into sleep. He let his eyes settle on Alenka, then smiled as he saw she held Juraj as they both slept. Could he ever have imagined knowing this feeling of loving someone as much as he did her? All those years he had clung to the memories of his life with Danijela. All those years he'd denied himself anything but feelings of grief and loneliness. Yes, he had tried to rekindle the feelings of love, first with Carol, then later with Abby. All the while knowing that he couldn't shake off the sense that he was somehow betraying his vows to Danijela when he was with them. What had made it different with Alenka?
With a sigh he shifted slightly, his hand still moving slowly over his daughter's back. Was it possible that the fact she shared those same feelings in regard to her first husband were what had made the difference? The knowledge that he didn't have to explain to her the feelings he still held for a woman long dead strengthening instead of weakening their connection. He released another breath as he gave into the call for sleep, his hand coming to a rest as his eyes closed.
They were going to be late, he was sure of it. As he circled the drive for the third time Luka found a whispered prayer coming to him. When he next rounded the corner it was easy to convince himself that the suddenly vacant space was due to a higher power's intervention.
The blast of cold air as he climbed out of the car was enough to take his breath away, and he quickly buttoned his coat to counter it. When he reached across the seat to pull the wrapped box from the passenger side he found it hard to resist glancing at his watch. Fifteen minutes until the Mass was scheduled to begin, he slammed the door then started for the porch, the as yet unshoveled snow crunching under his feet.
Shifting the box to one hand he rang the bell, as he waited for Alenka to answer, he found it hard not to make comparisons to Christmas Eves past. All those years he'd used work as an escape so he wouldn't have time to remember what he was convinced he would never again know.
"Luka." He let the thoughts drop as the door opened and Alenka greeted him.
"You look beautiful." He returned her smile, letting it broaden slightly as she ducked her head at the compliment. "I'm sorry I'm late." He stepped inside as she opened the door fully, sitting her present on the table just inside it before moving to kiss her.
As she returned his kiss she lay her hand on his cheek. "You're like ice, and we're going to be late, but I still want to give you your present before we go."
"It's freezing out there." He followed her with his eyes as she walked across the room and picked up the small wrapped package from the coffeetable, then carried it back.
"I hope you like it." She smiled deeply as she handed it to him.
"Alenka." He shook his head lightly before leaning over to kiss her, then straightened and began to unwrap it. As he tore the paper loose then balled it in his hand so he could open the lid his breath caught. "Alenka...I don't know what to say..." He lay the paper and lid in her outstretched hand before lifting the crucifix out of the box, the significance of it not lost on him. "Thank you." He leaned over to kiss her again with the words.
"You're welcome...can I put it on you?" She extended her hand to take it from him at the question.
"Please." As he gave his consent he turned to allow her to slip the now unfastened chain around his neck.
"We should probably go, Father Joe will have a fit if we come in late." She let her hand linger a moment before drawing it away, then walked past him to pick up her coat.
The feeling that was with him in that moment remained with him through the service, and was one he had thought never to know again. All the years he'd thought betrayed by his God, all the years he'd spent alone. As they listened to the sermon he glanced over to Alenka and in response she squeezed his hand, the look she exchanged saying what her words could not. Was it possible that all he had been through was in preparation of his finding her?
He closed his eyes, the silent question asked as if he might somehow receive an answer on this of all nights. No one had touched him the way Alenka did, not since Danijela, and in that moment he wondered ifin fact the gift of her wasn't the sign he had been looking for.
He let a smile deepen on his face as she leaned against his shoulder, seeming to sense his need for closeness. For the first time since Danijela had been taken from him the ache of her loss seemed to be missing, and perhaps that was the greatest of all the gifts she could give him.
to be continued...
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 20, 2008 3:10:24 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 10/44
"Tata's awake." Juraj nudged his mother, drawing her attention from the book she was reading. As she looked over she saw Luka's attempt to straighten and loosen the kinks brought on by the cramped space, being thwarted by Maja and how she lay and his efforts not to wake her.
"Juraj, could you watch Maja for me so I can sit with Tata for a while?" As she asked Alenka leaned forward and tucked her book back into her bag.
"Sure, Mama." He flicked his eyes off of the LEGOs he had scattered across his seat tray. "She can play with me."
With a smile Alenka unfastened her seatbelt and rose, then moved across the aisle. "Sleep well?" She eased the small girl off of Luka with the question.
"Not too bad, how about you?" With the new freedom he couldn't help stretching fully, raising both arms over his head so he could free the knots from his back.
"I want to stay with Tata." Maja woke as she was transferred to her mother's shoulder, offering the protest even as she made no struggle to change her situation.
"Why don't you play with Juraj, and let Mama sit with Tata for a while?" She held her a moment, then as the girl nodded, carried her to the seat beside her brother.
"Here, Maja, you can have these." Juraj pulled her tray down as his little sister was buckled into the seat, then piled some of his LEGOs on it before going back to his own building.
When she was assured Maja was settled Alenka moved back to the seat beside her husband. "Do you want to get up and walk around a bit?" She asked the question as she sat, then reached across to brush her fingers through his hair.
"No, I'm fine." As she dropped her hand Luka laced his fingers with hers. "How are you doing?" He let his eyes settle on her face, looking for the signs that she might be worried or nervous.
"Was it like this for you the first time you went back?" She asked the question quietly, the conversation meant for no one but him.
That Luka did not immediately answer was a signal to the seriousness of her question and as she waited Alenka covered both of their hands with her free one, giving him the time he needed. That he rolled his tongue inside his lips then wet them before speaking was a habit she'd grown used to seeing when he was contemplating more serious issues. When he shifted the conversation to Croatian it only emphasized the fact.
"The first time I went back was about 6 years after I'd left...my father had asked me to come back for Christmas." He rubbed his fingertips in the corner of his eye as he spoke. "I really didn't want to go back, but I had no way of knowing if I would see him again so for him I went for him."
Alenka remained silent as he spoke, recognizing the distancing in his eyes as he remembered. Though as a way of keeping him grounded to her she found herself brushing her finger over his.
"It wasn't easy, I didn't have my faith then..." He dropped the volume of his voice even more with the admission. "I really didn't have anyone then I could talk about my fears with...or anyone who understood what it was like for me." He cleared his throat before continuing. "The week before my flight I was a wreck, I couldn't eat, I wasn't sleeping much at all and when I did the nightmares were there."
Alenka found herself leaning against him without even being aware of it the longer he spoke. In the years they had been together she had learned the signals that meant his thoughts had returned to Danijela and their children, as well as he had learned hers. She felt no jealousy to the woman who'd held his heart before she had, just as she knew he held none to the love she still kept for Damir.
"I kept thinking I should just cancel..but I'd promised my father." He glanced over to her with a slight smile. "Once I got there it was so different...and of course he treated me like I was a piece of glass that would break, watching everything he said."
"I wish the children had been able to meet him." Alenka easily returned his smile with the comment, sliding easily into their native language as well.
"So do I...but I have to believe he still watches over them, even if he isn't here anymore." He rubbed his eye again before continuing. "I didn't want to go back to Vukovar then...I think in a way it was still too soon, but he convinced me it was for the best. I won't lie to your Alenka, it won't be easy, but I'll be with you." As he finished speaking he lifted his hand to cradle her face before he kissed her lightly. "I love you."
As she slid her hand around his neck to return his kiss Alenka knew that his words were far more then that, he was her lifeline...as she knew she had been his. It was hard sometimes to think what her life might have been like without him, and she'd long ago stopped thinking of herself without him being part of who she was. "I love you too." She returned the kiss then settled against him comfortably as he draped his arm around her. "We'll get through this, just like we have everything else...but this time we'll do it together."
to be continued...
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 21, 2008 2:05:00 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 11/44
Maybe it was a testament to how far their relationship had come, but as she realized no more words were needed Alenka settled easily against Luka. Moments where they could just enjoy each other's company were moments to be savored. Like an expensive jewel, or a fine glass of wine she cherished each as if it were the first such one.
Was it possible that they had only been together for 15 years? She brushed her fingers through Luka's hair as he moved closer, leaning his head against hers as he allowed the hum of the plane's engines to draw him back down into sleep. She found herself smiling faintly as she watched him, knowing the love she felt for him at that moment was as strong as it ever had been.
A giggle from Maja across the aisle assured her that the children were content and with that concern laid to rest she gave herself back to the luxury of simply enjoying Luka's relaxed closeness. He'd made no attempt to withdraw his hand when he'd changed position and Alenka found herself toying with the simple gold band on his finger as she listened to his quiet breathing. It was times like these she'd missed in the years she'd mourned Damir's loss.
As Maja's giggle was met by the deeper chortle of Juraj she let her attention shift to the children for a moment. All those years she had dreaded the sound, finding not joy but pain in their laughter. All the years she'd thought never to once more know the feeling of holding her own child to her breast. All the years she'd thought never to hear someone call her Mama. As she watch the two she couldn't help but feel the surge of love that connected them all together, would they ever fully understand the gift their birth's had been for she and Luka?
She returned her attention to her husband as he turned in his seat again, looking for some way to fit his lanky frame in the small space allotted to him. When he finally came to rest he was almost facing her, and she could see his breathing slow even more as he sank even deeper into the sleep he had deprived himself of over the last several days. Could she ever have imagined knowing such love for someone not once, but twice in her life? She lifted a hand to smooth the stray hair off his face then let it drop again with a contented sigh as her eyes fell once more to his wedding band.
It had been one of those days that seemed never-ending, and as a last minute phone call delayed her departure just enough to make her miss her train, she had to wonder if it could get any worse. It did, within five minutes of her stop the weather turned from cold and windy, to cold, windy, and wet. By the time she had made it home and had the door unlocked, she was soaked and frozen, and wanted nothing more then a hot bath before curling up under a blanket with the book she had been reading and a hot cup of coffee.
Even before she had turned the light on or shed her coat she saw the blinking light on the answering machine, as she hit play, then heard the voice she felt the almost instantaneous lightening of her mood.
"Alenka, it's Luka...I guess you must still be at work. Um...I'm on duty until eight, I'd like to see you after if you're not busy. I'm sorry I missed you, give me a call when you get this."
She found herself smiling as she listened, his voice registering his disappointment at getting the machine then his expectation at her return call. There was something else though in the message, something not said, and as she played it a second time it still eluded her.
Picking up the phone she dialed the hospital, then removed her coat as she waited for someone to answer. "May I speak with Dr. Kovac please?" She shook the water from her coat, then hung it as she spoke. "Yes, Alenka Ostovic...no, Ostovic." She smiled with the correction on the pronunciation of her name before spelling it. "I'm returning his call...no, that's quite all right, I understand, I can wait." While waiting for Luka to pick up she walked into the kitchen and busied herself with starting the coffee to brew.
"Hi, yourself." She pulled a cup from the cabinet before turning to lean against the counter as she listened to the sound of his voice. "Not really, I was just going to take a bath and read." He face flushed at his comment, "Luka." She laughed softly before answering. "I'd love to see you, and no, nine isn't too late...I'll see you when you get here." She held the phone to her ear for several more moments after the click signaled his return to work as if that might somehow prolong it. As she finally set the receiver back into the cradle she couldn't help but compare her reactions to Luka with those she'd had to her husband. Was it too much to hope for? She drew a deep breath in an attempt to release the thought. He was simply a friend, his loyalty to his wife still as strong as the one she held for Damir.
The thought lingered through her bath and still later as she fixed dinner, he was sure to be hungry when he got here, she told herself as she fixed twice what she normally would. How many times had she listened to the women at work complain about cooking for their husbands...for their families only to want to scream at them how lucky they were? She lowered the heat on the soup simmering on the stove as she was met with the truth of the feelings such a natural act stirred in her. She wanted to cook for him...and the truth was that she had begun to know she wanted to be there for him in other ways as well. If only she could rid herself of the fear that wrapped itself around those truths. No, she had to keep those feelings to herself, she couldn't risk what existed between them now over something he might not even feel in return.
When the doorbell rang she reached for a dishtowel and as she dried her hands she moved to answer it. "Hi." She moved easily into his arms, returning his kiss before drawing back with a soft laugh. "You are wet."
"It's raining." His cheeks dimpled as he returned her smile then moved fully into the apartment as she stepped aside to let him in.
"Let me take your coat." She closed the door behind him then took the topcoat as he handed it over. "I hope you're hungry, I left some soup on the stove for you."
His smile deepened in that moment before he answered. "You should know by now that I can't refuse your cooking...even if it is making me fat."
"You are not getting fat." She laughed at the comment before shooing him towards the table. "Go sit down and let me put some in a bowl for you." As she headed for the kitchen she called back to him over her shoulder. "Luka, coffee or beer with that?"
"If I take beer I'll be asleep on the couch within the hour, if I didn't fall asleep right here at the table before that, better make it coffee." He moved over to the table and took a seat as he answered....
to be continued...
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Post by FicWriter on Nov 22, 2008 3:10:35 GMT 10
Time Heals All Wounds
(A companion story to Ghosts)
by JD
Chapter 12/44
As Luka ate, Alenka kept the conversation light, filling the time with stories of work and her day. As she watched him though the feeling that had registered in his earlier call returned, and try as she might, she couldn't quite put her finger on what about him was different. The quiet intensity that came in brief glimpses when he spoke of his work was there, as was his sense of humor, but there was something else. When he sopped the remainder of his soup up with his bread then popped it in his mouth before leaning back with an exaggerated groan, she couldn't help but laugh.
"You did not eat that much." She reached for his cup then picked up the pot to refill it.
"No, I managed to save a little room for dessert." He returned her smile with one of his own.
"And what makes you think I have any dessert for you?" She sat the coffeecup in front of him with a lingering look before picking up her own.
"Because...you always have dessert. It's part of your plan to make me fat." The dimples in his cheeks deepened with the teasing.
"Would you stop saying you're getting fat because of my cooking?" She laughed lightly, her words holding no anger.
"So...what do you have?" He had already rose and headed for the kitchen as he finished the question.
"You are in a strange mood tonight Dr. Kovac." Alenka found herself watching him in amusement as he opened first the refrigerator, then the cookie jar.
"Ah ha...see, I knew you wouldn't disappoint me." He returned to the table with several fresh Oatmeal cookies in hand, already savoring a bite off one of them.
Shaking her head Alenka couldn't help but laugh again at the image. "You're like a little kid, you know that don't you?" Rising she picked up both of their cups. "Let's go into the livingroom where we can be more comfortable.
"I could carry those." Even as he made the offer Luka was taking another bite off the cookie in his hand.
"I've got them...go ahead." Once in the livingroom Alenka sat both cups on the coffeetable. As she settled on the couch she once more found her eyes sweeping over him. "Are you going to let me in on what's going on now?" She raised an eyebrow as his face revealed the momentary lookof a child having been caught in the act of doing something he shouldn't have been doing at her question.
"Um..." Luka glanced at the remaining cookies in his hand then passed his tongue around the inside of his mouth in the gesture she'd come to recognize as one he used to frame his thoughts.
"Luka?" She watched him carefully, not sure what was coming and not quite able to hold back the twinge of fear at the thought of the worst it could be.
As if realizing what his delay was doing to her he moved immediately to the couch, taking a seat beside her before laying the cookies on the table. Turning to her he drew a breath in preparation of speaking. "Alenka..." He hesitated a moment longer then reached across the distance that separated them to take her hand in his. "I didn't think this would be so hard." He offered a smile with the comment, then dropped his eyes before raising them again.
"Luka." Alenka could feel the sense of dread rising. "You're scaring me...what is it?"
As he slid his free hand in his pants pocket Alenka found herself unable to take her eyes off of him. When he revealed what he held she would swear her heart stopped beating for an instant.
"Alenka..I can't begin to explain what this past year has meant to me...what knowing you has meant to me." He paused to open the lid on the small ringbox he held in his hand, then slid off the couch to drop to his knee in front of her. As he lifted his eyes she saw a look there she had thought never to see again. "I don't ever want to lose this feeling, I don't ever want to lose you. I love you, Alenka." He blinked back tears with the long withheld admission. "Would you marry me?"
Alenka found her own tears not so easily restrained and in that brief instant of silence when she was sure his breathing had stopped, hers fell. "Yes..." She covered her mouth with her hand, only to lower it as he stood then drew her into his arms. All that she'd been feeling he shared. As his arms tightened around her and his lips found hers all the doubts were gone. "I love you, Luka." She whispered the words between kisses, her tears wetting her cheeks as the warmth of his love filled not just the heart she had thought would never know the feeling again, but her soul as well.
to be continued...
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