“Gloria,” Nick yelled. “Answer me. Don’t you die on me now that I’ve found you again.”

  Everything around them stilled. No wind. No sounds.

  “Did you hear him?” Mr. Rouge asked.

  “Find me again? Is that the part you wanted me to hear?” She tried to tug her hand free for a third time, thinking if she was able to, then the night dream would end.

  “Has it forced you to do any reflections on your past?”

  “Really? Now you want me to reflect. I’m clearly hurt lying there. I need help and you want me to scrutinize my past. This is stupid.” Her voice rose and his hand tightened on hers.

  “Think, Ms. White. What have I been showing you?”

  “My past. Is this because I’ve died?”

  He didn’t say a word.

  “Your silence must be your answer since you have to tell the truth. You’ve confirmed that I’ve died.”

  His continued quietness had her convinced she had either died or was nearing death’s door. Everything she had been seeing could only be her subconscious mind replaying her life before her last breath. But why had Nick been such a big part of her memory, when in life he hadn’t?

  Blinking, she tried to force the scene to move. But it wouldn’t. Her body lay in Nick’s arms unmoving.

  “Why won’t they move?”

  “It won’t work. You haven’t lived beyond this moment. Let’s take an alternative journey. To some possibilities your life could have taken or could.”

  Unexpectedly, he released her hand. She stumbled backward as an eerie blackness besieged them. Before it fully engulfed them her heart raced, and she found it hard to breathe.

  Had she been right all along, and she was dead?

  As the last little bit of light disappeared, the last thought that echoed in her head was she’d died.

  I’m dead.

  I’m dead.

  CHAPTER

  TEN

  THREE YEARS IN THE FUTURE - CHRISTMAS EVE

  “Birthday Girl, wake up.”

  A deep masculine voice whispered near her ear, and then warm lips were pressing against her mouth, sending shivers through her. The doom of her death, that she was sure had happened, didn’t feel like a cold and dark place. Grappling with the warm sensual mouth on hers and the earlier imminent destiny, Gloria opened her eyes.

  The artful mouth ceased its sweet torment, and the man raised his head. It wasn’t who she expected, as she found herself looking into a pair of blue eyes that belonged to Nick.

  Is this the afterlife?

  Where was Mr. Rouge? What was she doing laying instead of standing? More important was, how was she able to feel Nick’s kiss?

  “I have a huge day planned before we celebrate Christmas Eve. Get up.”

  Gloria blinked, but he was still leaning over her, shirtless no less. His well-muscled shoulders and chest were inches from her. Droplets of water from his wet hair fell on her face.

  “Okay, give me a minute.”

  Nick laughed. “Since when does it take you only a minute for you to dress? I’ve had to wait up to an hour sometimes. Not that I’m complaining. I’ll always wait for you.”

  He gave her an added kiss and disappeared into what she guessed was the bathroom. She sat upright and took in her surroundings, while fingering the quilt that covered her. It’s bright red background with a mixture of Christmas trees and wreath designs clashed with the light blue curtains that hung over two large bay windows.

  What the hell?

  Never in her life would she have decorated her bedroom, or any bedroom like this. Christmas stuff belonged in the kitchen and family rooms, period.

  Swinging her feet off the bed, she stood and realized she was naked. Preparing to take the ugly Christmas quilt from the bed, she saw a fluffy green robe laying on a nearby chair. Quickly, pulling it on, she tied the sash.

  Ugg. Not my color either.

  She turned in a full circle, but she wasn’t able to get her bearings. Running a hand through her hair didn’t help either. Her surroundings gave her no clues as to where she was or for that matter, when.

  “Ms. White.”

  Gloria twisted around, ready to give Mr. Rouge a piece of her mind. He had promised not to show her anything from her past. But this couldn’t be her past, this wasn’t her bedroom or any she had been in.

  Not able to find him, she glanced toward the closed door Nick had gone into. He’d said happy birthday, which could only mean this was December twenty-fourth.

  But what year? The whole timeframe thing was wrong.

  “Mr. Rouge?” She searched the room, but he wasn’t anywhere. “Where are you? Why can’t I see you?”

  Still nothing from him. In a state of exasperation of being transferred into moments of her life, the need to escape this scene controlled her.

  “I’ll show you, Mr. Rouge, who is in charge. You can’t manipulate me anymore.” Taking small and slow defiant steps, she managed to quietly reach the only other door in the room.

  “I wouldn’t go out there yet. We still need to talk.”

  She stopped in mid-stride. “Now you respond.”

  “You’re going in the wrong direction. That’s the only reason I’m able to communicate with you. This is a picture of what your future could be,” Mr. Rouge stated. “I’m not allowed in the unknown. Take a good look around you. This is a possibility.”

  “So, you’re in my head?”

  “Yes.”

  “I knew it. None of this is real,” Gloria whispered and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve been dreaming. I wanna wake up now.”

  “You are awake. You have been the entire time. We can’t stop yet. My job is to show you this future. Focus, Ms. White.”

  “Shouldn’t I get a different ghost? In the Christmas Carol, there are three. I demand someone new.”

  Mr. Rouge’s chuckle vibrated in her head. “You only get me. This is a sneak peek of three years into your future. It seems wonderful. You and Nick are together.”

  “Stop. We are not.” Uncrossing her arms, she placed her hand on the doorknob, and rotated it to the right.

  “Gloria, what are you doing? Your minute is up.”

  She turned.

  Nick was coming out of the bathroom still wrapped in a towel around his waist. He walked toward her and banished the towel with a flick, sending it flying across the room. Forgetting to breathe, at the sight of his fully naked body, she inhaled sharply. Not only was his upper body well-muscled, so were his hips and thighs. Since she hadn’t ever seen him naked, her imagination could never have done him justice. She lowered her eyes and briefly looked at his groin.

  OMG.

  He was perfect. In all ways a male should be. Unable to breathe, she held her breath, to calm her racing heart. She saw his bare feet in front of her. A spicy aroma that had to belong to his aftershave cologne besieged her senses. It was as if she knew or her body recognized the scent, when in fact she had never before smelled it. She closed her eyes as she raised her head, not wanting to see his passion filled face.

  “Birthday girl, if being late isn’t your intention, don’t give me that sexy look.”

  Immediately, she opened her eyes hoping the scene had changed or stopped. But no, her worst nightmare was real. Nick was indeed standing in front of her naked. The base of his throat pulsed with his heartbeat.

  Unexpected waves of longing hit her. It wasn’t as if she’d never seen a man naked before, but this body belonged to Nick. The man who should have been her lover, according to Mr. Rouge and unseen forces.

  His fingers gently touched her cheek, before his lips claimed hers again. Their sweet softness set off small fires through her. Gloria couldn’t help herself and let her body melt against his. The warmth of his lips and body faded and she felt his breath on her ear. She sighed in anticipation of a pending kiss on her neck. Instead, he tugged the robe’s tie and slid his warm hands over her hips. Bare skin touched bare skin.

  “Stop teasing me, Mrs. Klaaws.”

  Mrs. Klaaws? I married him?

  Her eyes widened. Nick’s hands were roaming the swell of her back, causing the robe to expose her shoulders. Frozen in time, she didn’t know what to do. This Nick was a stranger, but yet in this timeline he was her husband.

  Then it happened. The robe fell to the floor. Fully naked, her body was responding to his as if this was an everyday occurrence. Gloria stared into his blue eyes that were darkened and filled with tenderness and were brimming with promises. Ones she didn’t understand.

  She imagined her next move and hesitantly released the door handle and took ownership to the fact they were naked. Placing her hand on his shoulder, his damp skin and the smell of an earthy clean fresh bodywash mixed with his aftershave intensified by the excitement of his nearness.

  Nothing in her past relationships or with Jacob, had prepared her for this moment. It was so erotic. So enticing her whole body tingled, and a smoldering flame erupted.

  Was this love?

  If it was, this really was the first time she had experienced it.

  “I’m all in for being late, Birthday Girl.”

  His hunger filled voice, was a soft caress, sending a new round of excitement through her. She released the breath she’d unknowingly been holding, and her common sense returned.

  “I—I was going to go get a cup of coffee.”

  “Didn’t you see it on the nightstand? I brewed one for you,” he stated.

  “Sorry, I didn’t. Thank you.”

  “I’ve been planning this day for a while. Do you think I would have forgotten your morning coffee?”

  Nick released her and she felt a sense of loss. Almost like a fire consuming all the air in the room. Still fully naked, he turned and walked to the nightstand and retrieved the cup. She tried to keep her composure and go with the flow as if this was an everyday occurrence of him standing nude in front of her.

  Gloria forced her lips into a smile. “No, you wouldn’t have. I must still be half asleep. Sorry, I’ll go take a shower. That should wake me up.”

  Ignoring his outstretched hand with the coffee, she hurried into the bathroom. The door banged shut and she leaned against it.

  This can’t be real.

  She looked at her hand and saw a gorgeous diamond ring and a thin gold band.

  “I’m married. I’m Mrs. Klaaws.”

  “Stop acting like you’re surprised at the use of your married name, Gloria.”

  Nick’s words drifted in from the other side of the door.

  Shit, she had said it aloud.

  “I—um. I like hearing it.” She raised her eyebrows, hoping that was the correct response to make. It must have been because he laughed.

  “Mr. Rouge,” she whispered.

  When he didn’t answer or appear, Gloria repeated his name in her mind.

  “Yes, Ms. White, this is what could be. A life with a man who truly loves you.”

  “But how? I don’t know him. We never dated.”

  “You do or could in the future. Three years have gone by since the night he came to your rescue. A lot could happen.”

  Gloria’s forehead creased. Having a conversation with a ghost, in her head, while standing naked, was strange. How could this be her future?

  That would mean she and Nick had dated and gotten married. Images of them at the beach watching the sunset and driving in a convertible car, flashed in a memory.

  But how? They’d never done any of that. Grabbing a towel from the rack, she wrapped it around her. Ghost or not, he didn’t get to see her nude. “I’m scared. Take me back.”

  “Are you sure? It sounds like the two of you are getting very friendly. Even to the point of engaging in—”

  “Stop. The fact that you are listening and watching is creepy. What is going on here is private. Weren’t you instructed on boundaries from the beyond?”

  “I’m sorry. You’re right. I crossed the line. We’ll leave. I have one more timeline to share with you”

  “No—no more. I’m done.”

  “What did you say, honey? Do you want me to join you?”

  Nick’s suggestive question went unanswered as the area around her vanished.

  CHAPTER

  ELEVEN

  FORTY YEARS IN THE FUTURE

  Iciness prickled Gloria’s skin as Mr. Rouge moved her to the next possibility of her future. But a nagging clarity that being with Nick had seemed right wouldn’t go away. The seconds, minutes, and hours merged into what ifs. She patted her body and found she was wearing clothes again.

  What could Mr. Rouge possibly want to show her?

  Her life with the dead-beat two-timing Jacob? Would she still be living in Boston, working as a president of some company? The dream job she’d always wanted?

  That would be something she’d like to see.

  Or she and Nick, with children and grandbabies, living in a beachside home on the Gulf of Mexico? A nagging image of how happy he had been, turned into a gush of loneliness. She was and had been alone for a while. Spending a lifetime with someone who loved her, and she loved, was a possibility that had merit.

  Gloria bit her lip in attempt to make sure she was alive, still not believing Mr. Rouge. Patches of light in the distant were a welcoming distraction, but her subconscious clung to the last threads of her real reality. She prayed she’d remember how she had felt being with Nick.

  “Are you ready to see what’s instore for you?”

  Like the last scene, Mr. Rouge wasn’t present in his body, only in her head. “Yes. Can we hurry through this one?”

  “That word isn’t in my vocabulary. Enjoy the show.”

  So, she’d be on her own again. An approaching catastrophe hit her, as palm trees and a sidewalk materialized. Then a four-story brick building with a sign, “Our Time Assisted Living”, hanging above a set of sliding glass doors formed.

  She found herself, standing in the middle of a circler driveway, and she stared at the sign. Who did she know that would’ve been placed in a nursing home? Had she put her mom in there? If she had, what did it have to do with her?

  “Go on. Go inside,” Mr. Rouge’s voice told her.

  “I’m repeating my question, is this the last one?”

  “My time is almost up.”

  “That’s not an answer. You’re very good at being evasive in your replies.”

  His chuckle gave her an instant headache. She pressed two fingers to a spot on her forehead. With hesitant steps, she walked through the unopened doors.

  “Weird,” she thought.

  It was as if she was a ghost. Was she invisible too? Or would she be an actor, taking part in the scenes like the last one?

  The air inside was thick and had an odd smell. She couldn’t place the odor. Then it disappeared as she emerged into a carpeted reception and waiting area. A few older people were hanging Christmas decorations on a mid-size tree, along with staff dressed in red uniform scrubs.

  “Ms. White, is there anyone we should add to your guest list? You don’t have anyone on it yet.”

  “There might be—no, there isn’t anyone.”

  Gloria swung her head to the left, and gasped. A much-much older version of herself with gray hair and a walking cane stood by a counter. The woman who had asked the question was wearing a blue nurse’s uniform.

  Closing her eyes, the scene stopped. She took a deep breath. “Where have you taken me now, Mr. Rouge?”

  “To another likelihood.”

  “You wanted to show me myself as an old lady? Everyone gets old at some point. This is a waste of your precious time.”

  “Choices. Everyone has them. What they do, to make their future theirs is because of choices. A person’s future has many paths. Some go unused. Many are used several times. And others disappear when an option is chosen, shutting out those paths.”

  “You’re talking in riddles. I’m tired, Mr. Rouge. That was a nice speech, but I don’t have the patience to decipher the layers. The last possibility of my life we left was with Nick. Why aren’t we together? Why am I alone?”

  She hadn’t opened her eyes, but sounds erupted around her, causing Gloria to open them. The nurse behind the counter was joined by a male and a second female who held a small cake and were singing, Happy Birthday. When the three finished, her older self still stood alone. None of the other residents had come over to join in the celebration.

  Crap. It was her never ending birthday. Another version to experience again.

  “Thank you for remembering. I’ve had way too many birthdays. They aren’t special at my age.”

  “Oh, Ms. White, don’t say that. No one should spend Christmas or their birthday alone. And everyone is special. Come on, I’ll walk with you to your room so you can enjoy this wonderful looking chocolate cake.”

  One of the female nurses stepped around the counter and took a hold of her older self’s arm. As the two disappeared around a corner, the other nurse said. “It’s so sad when they get to this age, and they don’t have anyone. They are the forgotten, to die alone too. I’ve seen it more often than I want to admit.”

  Alone?

  Her interest rose a level wanting to see and hear more of this time period. Why didn’t she have anyone? Had she outlived her family and friends? At her use of the word friends, Gloria cringed. Squeezing her eyes, she tried to picture at least one person she could recall as a friend.

  No one came to mind. None of her school friends had stayed in touch with her as promised. Colleagues at Marley and Associates hadn’t even called after she had broken off her engagement with Jacob, or when she had quit. Giving in to the realization she had no one during her golden years, sent an arc of sadness through her. Was she that bad of a person that no one cared if she was alive or dead? Why hadn’t she taken more effort to stay in touch or make true friends? Mr. Rouge had said life encompassed all a person’s choices.

  Dismissing the scene in front of her, Gloria shrugged. It was what it was. She must have lived a good life.

  “What is a good life worth, when at the end you’re alone, Ms. White?”

 

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