As he enters the room, the dimming light shadows the form which lays on the bed. Soft murmurings are heard, she is in an uneasy sleep.
Her form so fragile, so delicate, lays curled and hugging herself.
He can't believe his eyes.. She is home.

His heart pounds in his chest but this time, not from the adrenaline or fear, this time it is relief and love.

"Dog.. he whispers, not wanting to wake her, Dog go now.. good boy"  Dog looks up at his Master and then obediently leaves the room..
he knows now everything is okay.

Lowering his gun, his hands shake as he replaces the safety catch and stands the still loaded gun in the corner of the room.
Taking a moment to compose himself,
to tame his raging heart
he closes his eyes and holds back the tears
which threaten to fall.

He takes the oil lamp from it's place and, lighting it with a match,
he watches carefully as to not wake her.
He lights the lamp and dims the flame.
It casts a warm glow about the room
and the shadows disappear.
Taking a few steps towards her he notices how drawn she is,
how tired she seems.
Dark circles around her eyes where she
has not slept soundly in so long.

Pity fills his heart, pity and a desperate ache for his lost love.
Moving slowly, thanking his lucky stars he has only socked feet,
he quietly approaches the bedside.
He places the lamp on the dresser and turns to see her,
sleeping in a ragged dress, her feet ***** and sore.

"My God.. where have you been my Darling?"
he whispers and a sob breaks from his chest.
His hand clamps over his mouth but the sound stirs her and she mumbles words he cannot clearly make out.

She is so small in this large bed, so broken..
nothing like the beautiful being that she was a few months ago.
She has been missing for weeks.. months.
And now,
now she lays in their bed..
And she is alive when he thought her dead.

Her words become clearer as she gains consciousness,
although still asleep she is waking slowly.
"My Love.. she softly utters .. My Love, please... home"
And the words bring him to his knees.

Desperate to touch her,
to feel her in his arms once more,
tears stain his cheeks and his vision of her,
of his world.
Everything blurs as the tears flow.
Taking her hand in his he kisses her fingers,
praying this is all not just a dream.
Kissing her gently, each and every finger,
pouring all his love upon each finger tip.

Her hand, her fingers move and gently hold his.
And he looks to her face, sensing she is waking
and he sees her eyes are open,
looking at him in the warm glow of the bedroom.
A frown mars her beautiful face,
she takes a moment to believe what she truly sees.

Her voice is unsteady
"Am I home? Is it really you? Are you there my Love? "
"Darling yes, his smile radiant and, with tears in his eyes,
he kisses the palm of her hand..
yes my Darling you are home.. you have come home to me"

She, for the first time in months,
feels safe. Feels overwhelmed with feelings of joy..
and still cannot believe
she sees her handsome beautiful husband before her.

Smiling she cries,
"Oh My Love... I am sorry, my love please forgive me"
She sobs..
her tears now turn to sorrow
as she holds out her hands to him,
begging forgiveness.

He climbs eagerly onto the bed,
kneeling in front of her.
His arms take her and hold her tight,
holding and placing her upon his lap.
She has become weak and is so fragile.
He lifts her easily, taking her trembling body
and surrounding it with his own.
Warming her skin with his own.
Kissing her hair, uttering words of love into her ears,
filling her soul with warmth and kindness.
Rocking her,
calming her disquieting thoughts,
wiping away her tears with his fingers
as his own tears still fall into her hair.

And he kisses her hands,
her fingers,
her lips.
"My Darling... where did you go?..where did you go?"
Holding her tight,
never wanting her to leave his sight,
not while he still has breath in his lungs.
  
His hands feel her as she hugs into his chest,
she holds him,
so strong and warm,
her anchor, her Love.

And his hands settle about her waist,
softly stroking her body,
noticing how thin she has become,
her curves have all but disappeared..
except for one..

A soft swelling in her stomach.
A noticeable and very soft ..
bump.

He places his hand over the bump,
covering it entirely with his large hand.
Feeling it's roundness,
feeling over the soft curve of her skin.

"My Darling? are you... are you with child? my child?"
his words are in disbelief.. in awe..
slowly turning to elation as he feels her nod against his chest..

"My Love yes... You are going to be a father.."
she tentatively gives him a watery smile..
so unsure of his reaction to the news and this...
this being the reason that she fled..

"Dear God..." He is stunned and light headed...
and sees stars..

In just one fleeting moment he sees in his minds eye
a small child playing,
a baby sleeping,
a child running with Dog and playing in their garden,
he sweeps up the child,
hugging and kissing their rosy cheeks,
hugging his Love close as they wander back to their home..

Dog trotting along happily at their heels...

And the moment fills his heart so full that he cries as it overflows.

"My Darling... My Love... you.. we.. are going have a family?
Oh.. my Darling I want this.. I want us .. and know that,
anything you give me is a blessing,
never think...
don't ever think I would not want this My Darling...
a family..
Darling I thought you dead,
and instead,
you bring home to me a new life.
Our child"

She holds him tight and gives him all of her love
and will never let him go,
sobbing her elation into his chest
as he holds her for all of his life.

And their child quietly grows,
feeling already such love.