They were sitting in the hospital’s front lobby and waiting for their ride to arrive to take them to the airport. She was looking forward to taking Skeet home where hopefully being surrounded by the familiar would help him mentally heal.

Looking over at her husband, she noticed he appeared a little more alert this morning. He also looked more like the man she’d married. His hair had been trimmed a bit and the beard shaved off. He’d also gained a little weight but not enough to suit her. He was still gangly thin in her opinion. When she’d gone to the nearest megastore to buy him some clothes, she discovered his past sizes no longer fit him. Luckily, a belt helped to keep his pants up, and he’d have to make do with the overly large shirts and coat until he filled out a bit more.

He had yet to say anything, but there was no mistaking the fact that he was taking in his surroundings. His eyes darted about the lobby, noticing the people passing by. Watching them.

She checked more closely. Yes, there was a definite spark of interest in his face.

The black SUV pulled up to the front entrance and the driver got out to come inside. He took both of their suitcases and went to place them in the vehicle. Ivy held out her hand to her husband, who clasped it without hesitation. She felt blessed that he trusted her now. These past few days, she’d spent as much time as she could up in his room. There, she’d had lunch and supper with him while catching him up on what had happened to the world since his disappearance. The one thing she hadn’t told him, however, was about the death of his parents. That had to wait.

The same jet airplane was waiting for them when they arrived at the airport. Ivy was delighted to see Angela standing at the top of the airstairs.

“It’s good to see you again!” the flight attendant greeted her, giving her a warm smile. The woman turned to Skeet, and an almost reverent expression crossed her face. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”

Skeet eyed her but didn’t reply. Ivy stepped in to explain. “He’s still recovering. He’s not being rude.”

Angela’s expression shifted to pity. “It’s understandable. No offense taken. Come on. Let’s get you two buckled in so we can get off the ground.”

Since the private jet only had single window seats on both sides of the aisle, Ivy chose to sit opposite her husband rather than behind or in front of him on the same side of the plane. That way she could keep an eye on him more easily. It was a good thing she had such foresight. Trouble started as soon as the pilot began to taxi toward the runway. Skeet suddenly grasped the arms of his seat, his eyes wide with fear as he stared out the window.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no!” He seemed on the verge of bolting. “No, no! Stop! Stop!”

Reaching across to him, she grabbed one arm and tried to direct his attention to her. “Skeet, look at me. Look at me, Skeet! Listen to my voice! It’s okay! You’re going to be okay, honey! There’s nothing to be afraid of!”

His agitation worsened as the jet increased speed. Ivy kept trying to soothe him although he didn’t appear to hear her.

The nose of the plane lifted. When it did, Skeet scrambled for his seatbelt. Releasing it, he threw it aside and tried to bolt for the cabin door. Because she was prepared, Ivy was on her feet first and able to shove him back into his seat before throwing her arms around him and holding tightly onto him.

“Skeet! Skeet, it’s all right! We’re going home! We’re just going home, darling!”

He struggled briefly, then suddenly went limp. She felt him drawing his arms around her, pulling her into his lap, then bowing his head to press his face against her neck.

He wept silently, his shoulders shaking. She kept a firm grip on him, afraid that if she let go or eased her hold, he might dump her on the floor and try to escape again. She knew she couldn’t begin to imagine the horrors he’d been through, she also knew the best thing she could do for him to help him through this trauma was to be there for him.

The plane eventually leveled off. Angela hurried up to assist, but Ivy shook her head to let her know they were okay for the moment. “Can you get us some water, please?” she softly asked the flight attendant.

The woman nodded once and left.

Skeet’s hands gradually released their death-like grip on her. When he finally raised his face, Ivy’s heart nearly broke. He was her Skeet again. He was back. He was with her, and she knew it down to the marrow of her bones.

“Vee?” His voice broke and he tried again. “Vee, is it…”

“It’s me, darling.” She kissed his sweaty forehead. “You’re okay. You’re safe now. We’re going home.”

“Vee, I…”

She shushed him as he struggled with his inner demons and tried to calm him by running her fingers through his hair and massaging the back of his neck with one hand.

Angela returned with two bottles of water. Seeing Skeet’s tearstained face, she went back for a small box of tissues. Ivy snagged a couple to wipe his face and help him blow his nose.

He continued to stare at her as if he was now able to grasp reality and accept it. “Vee?”

She smiled at him. “Yeah, honey. You’re back on Earth. You’re not dreaming.”

“Prove it.”

She almost whooped with joy. He sounded like his old self. Instead, she lightly clipped his chin with her fist. “That enough proof for you, space boy?”

He jerked her head down to kiss her. His arms tightened around her, almost making it difficult to breathe, but it didn’t matter. It was all she could do to hold onto him herself and open her heart again.

His kisses brought back memories she’d long buried. His touch and his smell reawakened that part of her she’d given up hope of ever feeling again. She wanted it to go further. She could tell he wanted it, too. But they both fought their needs and settled instead for holding each other, until they slipped into a light sleep which lasted the remaining duration of their flight.