Her heartbeat kicking against the inside of her chest, she ran from the darkness that chased after her. The ravenous abyss rode tight on her heels as she sprinted past the brambles and bushes that she felt but couldn't see. Terror in her voice, she screeched for help, but nothing could be heard past the roaring of the darkness that hounded her. A single beam of light glowed in the distance. It's warmth touched on her skin the moment her sight connected to it. A beacon of hope, she thought. Save me. Diane's side ached, pleading with her to stop, but her fear was too driven to pause. It forced her on the path to the light. I have to get there to safety.

A voice from the darkness howled. "Stay with us! Stay!"

The command urged a whimper out of her tired body, but not once did she stop running. Not once did she look back. The chill of the darkness behind her and the warmth of the light just out of reach, came to a horrid halt when Diane found herself teetering suddenly on the edge of a dark crevasse. On her tiptoes, she quickly held some balance to keep from plummeting. Her breath shaking, she peered down and found the origin of the light nestled way down at the bottom of the cliff.

"Just fall," a gentle voice whispered in her ear.

"Stay with us!" the darkness wailed. It was so close she could almost feel the icy cold grip around her.

"No!"

"Diane?"

Her eyes shot open with a gasp as familiar hands rubbed her shoulder. Her eyes immediately met her husband and she breathed a sigh of relief. The sight of his confused, but unforgettable face slowed her heartbeat down to normal. "Hey."

Christian sighed. "Hey yourself. You okay? You were talking a bit in your sleep."

She slowly propped herself up one elbow and rubbed her eyes in efforts to wake up. "Really? What was I saying?"

He shrugged. "It was hard to make out. Something about 'just falling' or something like that. Sounded like a dream."

More like a massively weird nightmare, she thought to herself. Even then, the events of the dream were breaking away like the clouds dispersing after a terrible storm. The thing that she held onto, the thing that still lingered was the coldness of the dark, the warmth of the light and how she managed to be wedged in between. She nodded. "Yeah, a strange one."

He leaned over and pressed his lips to her mouth in the softest of kisses. His deep blue eyes were rich with concern. "I'm sorry babe. Looks like it shook you up a bit. You wanna talk about it?"

Diane gazed at him, then scoffed. "Nah, it's nothing serious. I can barely remember it already."

He smiled. "Yeah, it's crazy how that happens. The mind is a tricky thing." He also propped himself up on one elbow and pushed her wild, chestnut hair from her face. "Or, it might have been that good morning kiss that drove that bad dream away."

Her eyebrow raised. "You're playing the hero now?"

Christian cocked his head and shrugged. "I'm just sayin'. I'm the man, right? So when my lady is in some distress, you better believe I'm gonna swoop in and rescue her."

She grinned. "So you're sayin that you'll drop down and whup up on some nightmares, tough guy?"

He grimaced. "Pfft! Baby, I'll kick the shit outta some nightmares for you. You don't even have to ask!" Christian flexed his bicep with his free hand and kissed it like a vain bodybuilder.

Diane's laugh echoed through their posh, sun-washed bedroom and Christian's eyes lit up like diamonds. "God, you're so ridiculous!" She playfully pushed him. "You dork!"

"I'll show you a dork!" He reached for her, pouncing on her with a wave of sheets and covers. Diane squealed with delight as she tried to get away, but Christian pinned her and found her lips for another kiss. This one lit her stomach on fire at the taste of him and a moan hummed through her mouth. The steady thump of his heartbeat as his bare chest pressed to her gave comfort from the uneasiness of her dream. It seemed he did chase the dream away, but she shouldn't have been surprised. Christian always had a way of making things better. As a doctor, he prided himself in solving problems. Her own Dr. Feelgood. And when his kiss deepened, forcing her mouth open in their heated embrace, her body craved his service.

His finger traced the outline of her lips. "Are you nervous about your new position?"

She shrugged. "Perhaps a little. I mean, it's a big change. What if we have to move?"

"Then, we'll move." He kissed her softly on the lips.

"What if this gets too demanding to where we won't see each other as often?"

He kissed her ear. "I'll change some things around. Nothing's gonna stop me from being with my wife. We survived med school and my internship, we can survive anything."

Diane inhaled deeply. "I know, but--"

Christian smiled and looked into her eyes. "Babe, stop worrying and just enjoy your success. You've earned this. Every bit of it. I'm not worried about us. I love you and we're gonna be fine."

As he trailed little torturing kisses down her neck, she pulled away breathless. "You're gonna be late for rounds, doc," she teased.

He picked his head up, displaying a demure, but devious smirk. "Guess that depends."

"On what?"

He started to unbutton her sleep shirt, which was pretty much his old shirt. Every button released built up her anticipation and revealed more flesh to toy with. When he got to her dark patch between her thighs, his hand wanted nothing more but to explore it. But yet, he waggled his eyebrows lavisciously. "On how fast I can make you come."

She gasped."We wagering for orgasms, now?"

"Oh, it's not a wager, babe." he leaned in and let his lips linger just shy of hers. "I know every hot button on you. You forget, I've studied you since high school." His hand caressed the sensitive flesh just below her breasts. Her body shivered and tingled at his touch.

"And you were a cocky dork even then."

"Well, someone fell for it."

He totally got her there. She definitely did. Even now, as she looked at him, she still could see the confident, silly varsity basketball player, who left her love notes in her locker. Just when she'd thought he'd given up, Christian was there. Her tall, lanky superhero. "Fine. Game on, hubby."

"Ooh. That smack talking is sexy hun." He finally claimed her lips again, then dipped down to make his way past the valley of her breasts, her navel until he found his way in in the valley of her thighs.

Diane sucked in a breath as Christian explored her. "You're so cheating, you---"

Another moan.

"Oh."

She grabbed his pillow and put it over her face, just in time to mute her climax. "Ahhh. Fuck me!" You win."

Watching his beautiful wife rocking the throes of the aftershock, he was far too horny to gloat. Christian crawled over her and removed the pillow. She cooed as he kissed her knuckles, very aware that his naked body was comfortably cradled between her legs, raging hard-on and all. "Wanna continue playing doctor?"

She wantonly rubbed her body against him as he entered her. "I'm all yours, doc."

***

As the morning kicked into high gear, the room echoed with the rapping sound of Diane whisking eggs as the morning sunlight gently washed over the pristine kitchen. In fact, Diane herself paused her rigorous mixing for a moment to admire it again. There's nothing like getting something exactly how you want it, and this kitchen with the farmhouse sink, flawless white cupboards and mosaic vintage backsplash was definitely what she wanted. When they toured the house, they immediately fell in love with it. So picturesque nestled in the quiet suburbs, it was the dream house Christian always promised her when they got out of college. She smiled at the top cabinet that displayed all her prized casserole dishes. With a giggle, she continued to whisk, until her phone buzzed. With a sigh, she sat the bowl and whisk on the counter and traded it for her vibrating phone. She glanced at the screen and then frowned "Oh boy," she frowned. "It's too early." She kept staring at the phone as it continued to buzz as if the person she was avoiding knew very well that she was available. With an annoyed sigh, she slid her finger to answer. "Hey how's it going, Jacob?," she said in a deadpan voice.

The response was a rattled cough that was so loud and continued for several seconds Diane was worried that the person was going to pass out.

"Jason? Jesus are you okay?," she said in between his cough. Finally he cleared his throat.

"Yeah I'm going to be okay I don't know if Christian told you, but strep has been going around in the hospital lately I think that I may be its latest victim.

"Oh no, that sucks," she said as she balanced the phone in the crook of her neck. "Definitely not a good look for resident doctors." She picked up the bowl and whisk and continued to whip. "That's awful. Yeah, he did tell me that some people are getting sick luckily I don't think he's got it."

"Lucky," Jacob whined after a short cough. "Is he up yet? I need to speak to him."

"Why don't you ever call his phone when you need him?"

"Because, your husband never seems to answer his phone!"

Diane nodded in agreement to no one in particular. "Yep. Fair enough. When you find out the secret to get him to do that, please share with me. Hold on a sec." She finally poured the super-whipped eggs into the skillet on the stove, then put the phone to her chest. "Christian!"

"Yeah?" came is voice from above.

"Jacob wants to talk to you!"

"Dammit, why is he calling you?"

"Because you never seem to answer your phone!" She grabbed the spatula and flipped the eggs.

There was a moment pause. "He never thought there good reason why I didn't?" Diane heard the footsteps running down the stairs. "He knows you're my gatekeeper." Christian was dressed in his lucky royal blue dress shirt with his tie undone around his neck. His shoes in his hands, he walked over to her. When he reached, she raised the phone up supposedly out of reach.

"Or your secretary."

"What?" he mouthed almost speechless.

"Who happens to make you eggs after sex."

Christian smiled. "God, I love you." He kissed her as he grabbed the phone clearly amused by her playful keep-away. He smacked her ass. "I married a fucking goddess." He put the phone to his ear. "You heard that?"

"Yeah, ew. I wish I hadn't," said Jacob.

"Sorry, Dee doesn't seem to remember to mute." He winked at her mortified look. "We make a great pair." There was a second pause as he went around the counter. "So, what's up?"

Diane shifted her focus back to the eggs to make sure she didn't overcook them luckily she had the plate right nearby. Scraping them on the dish, she watched him pace and chat with Jacob. His breakfast waited for him with a silver fork.

Just when she was beginning to worry the eggs were gonna get cold, Christian finally hung up with a huff. She turned to find his shoes finally on, and him fumbling with his tie.

"What's Jacob want now?"

He sighed and grabbed the fork, shoveling the eggs in his mouth. Before he opened his mouth, Diane set the bottle of ketchup next to him. "Thank babe." He squeezed an insane amount of the red condiment on the eggs. "First of all, please don't be mad."

She turned around, her arms crossed. "I hate it when you preface stuff like that. What did he sucker you into this time?"

"He's sick, but he was on the hook to take the interns out and celebrate their new residency before they are turned loose in the world. They are gonna need a DD. Can't have them risk their budding reputation." He took a few big bites, feeling her eyes on him.

Diane frowned. "Oh."

Christian quickly moved over to her. "I'm still totally gonna make it back here to celebrate your promotion, okay? Nothing's changed."

"Can't they just call an Uber? Not to be a bitch, babe, but we never get to see each other anymore and you have to stop picking up after everyone else." She caressed his face as he turned to kiss her hand. "Yeah, I wanna celebrate getting this awesome promotion, but not if it's without you. I just don't see why they always have to ask you."

"It's tradition. Besides, I'll feel better knowing that everyone got there safe." He kissed her square on the lips. "Muah! And you could never be a bitch. You're just, you know...strict." Christian winked and used air quotes.

Diane rolled her eyes, then gently smiled. "Well, just make sure you're home in time so we don't bomb the reservation? Then maybe afterwards, I give you a little surprise."

He saluted. "Sounds like potentially many fun-filled delights. That may or may include a extremely naked Diane Howerton?"

"Didn't you have enough this morning?"

He gave her a blank stare.

She shook her head, blushing. "Forget I asked. Just please be safe." Her arms wrapped around this neck.

"You bet, babe." He tasted her lips and pulled her closer. "You know, this newlywed thing is pretty awesome. Kinda weird, but even more awesome."

Diane laughed. "I know! It's like I earlier I was coming downstairs and I noticed my wedding ring as was like 'Holy shit, I have a husband!"

"I know! It's the most grown-up thing we ever did, next to buying this house. Marrying my nerdy genius wife." He kissed her neck, then his eye caught a glimpse at the time on the microwave. He quickly pulled back. "Shit, I gotta run, babe. I love you. We're gonna paint the town so I can brag about my sexy ass wife creating A.I. algorithms to solve the world's problems." He backed away and hustled to gather his lab coat, keys, wallet and finally his phone.

Diane chuckled. "Shut up, you turkey. You better be here, Mr. Fix it."

"Of course, babe." Just before he got to the door, he turned around. "Hey."

"Yeah, doc?"

"When have I last told you how proud I am of you?"

She looked up. "Hmm. I'm sure at some point you have. Why?"

Christian smiled. "Well I am. I'm proud of you, Dee. I'll see you later."

***

Later that day, getting home from work, Diane couldn't wait to get home. The traffic gods, it seemed to take pity on her, as if they knew she really needed to beat the crowd. They had reservations and though Christian promised he would make it home in well enough time, she'd known him long enough that he always got to where he was going by the skin of his teeth. It was as if he liked the suspense and drama of making it somewhere just in time. For someone who couldn't get outta bed without planning her steps a day in advance, it made her crazy, but then again, it's amazing what you can get used to.

She turned on the shower and checked her phone again. A new message from Christian waited for her:

September 23 4:43 pm

Hey babe. Just thinking of you ;)

Gonna head over to the shindig later and after that, it'll just be you and me.

~CH

Her lips curved into a grin.

September 23 4:45 pm

You better not bust our reservation, buster. See you soon. <3

No sooner than she set her phone on the edge of the sink, Gina called.

"Hey, what's up?"

"What are you up to tonight?," Gina asked. "I feel like getting a bit cray cray tonight."

"Gigi, cray cray for you is an expensive bottle of wine and cheesecake from Eduardo's."

"So? Why's it gotta be like that? Why you gotta judge? You wanna kick it up a notch with me and rent a movie?"

"Can't. Christian is taking me out tonight. I didn't tell you yet, but I did get that promotion. I'm now Senior Developer of SpeigerTech's Machine Learning division," she announced through her smile.

"What?," Gina howled. "You bitch! You didn't tell me? Holy crap that is awesome, doll!"

"Thanks. I promise I was gonna tell you tomorrow. You know Christian. As soon as I told him the news he said we had to immediately celebrate."

"Yeah, your crazy husband enjoys any excuse to go out. This is great, though. So what, are you gonna be the one that helps SkyNet become self-aware now or what?"

Diane laughed and shook her head at the phone. "Not exactly. But yeah, I'll be doing much more of what I love--creating algorithms and neural nets for systems to help us make decisions. I know you don't believe me with your paranoid ass, but we're quite far away from a SkyNet occurrence."

"Whatever. You're paid to say that shit." She cleared her throat. "Anywho, well, enjoy your night out. I'm proud of you and maybe we can do brunch or something this weekend instead?"

Diane looked at the time. "Yeah, that sounds good. Listen, I gotta get showered up and get ready."

"Ha, is Christian there?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, not yet."

"Ha, you can take a nap, wake up, watch an episode of "Cake Wars", get dressed and still get ready before Christian gets through the door."

"Yeah, yeah. Love you."

"Bye. Tell Christian I said hi."

Diane hung up and immediately hopped in the shower. Riding on the ups of the day, she actually took a moment to appreciate her success while the water ran over her face. She had worked so hard and finally everything was falling into place. Christian was enjoying his residency and in a few years would be ready to branch out into his own practice. Since high school, they shared dreams of doing what they loved. In college, reality set in and had her late-night worries that it was moving out of reach with money troubles. It also didn't help that her mother's drama exacerbated the worry with her need for attention. But Christian was right, as long as they had each other's back, they could face anything. Now, living the life they dreamed of, she loved that he was right.

Thirty minutes later, all showered up and ready, Diane paced a bit, waiting for Christian to answer her back. It was pushing 8:00 already and if he didn't get home soon, they would miss their reservation.

She hit the button to call him again. For the third time, it went straight to voicemail.

Something wasn't right. His last text was over two hours ago. Her pacing grew, marching over her steps, thinking. Is he okay? She shook her head, "Dammit, why can't he learn to answer his phone?" Diane grabbed her phone off the counter again and called Jacob, who tended to know how to reach him, when everyone else had trouble.

"Hello?"

Her clammy hands tightened on the phone at the sound of his voice. "Hi Jacob, sorry to disturb you, but have you heard from Christian lately?"

"No, not since we talked this morning. He's at the intern happy hour, right?"

She rubbed her temple. "I don't know anymore. He said he would be back right afterwards so we can go to dinner. It's not like him to be this late and not text me or something. Her voice shook and there was no way to hide it.

"Alright, calm down, Dee. I'm sure he's okay. You know how bad he is about his freaking phone. He's probably lost track of time dealing with those interns. They're like herding cats you know."

She nodded to the phone, slightly amused at his quip. "I hope so."

"Look, let me call Tucker or Barb who I know were going, and ask if he's still there okay?

"Okay."

"I'll call you right back. Okay?"

"Alright. Thanks." She hung up and checked her notifications just in case. Nothing.

Leaning against the counter, she tried not to fidget, but her body craved a distraction. "Grr. I'm gonna kick his head so bad when he gets home tonight," she threatened aloud. "And put a blaring, 'pick up your phone' ringtone!" Her phone suddenly rang and she nearly dropped it trying to answer it. Regaining the balance of her hands, she slid her finger across the screen. "Hello?"

"Hey chica," Gina cheerfully greeted.

She closed her eyes. "Not right now, Gina. I'm sorry."

"What's the matter?"

"Sorry, Christian hasn't turned up home yet. I'm really worried."

"Oh dollface, he's fine. You know him, he's probably gotten caught up with the guys or something. But I would put him in the doghouse for standing you up."

Their call was interrupted with an incoming call from Jacob.

"Hey, Gina. That's Jacob, I need to call ya back, okay?"

"Alrighty. Let me know if I can help you track him down."

Diane switched calls. "Hey Jacob, what did they say?"

There a small pause on the other end. "Uh, Both of them said he never showed."

Diane voice cracked. "What?"

"Dee, don't panic. I'm gonna call around some more alright? I'm getting up and will have the hospital reach him. Maybe he got paged. I'm sure he's okay. Dee? Diane?"

Diane stood frozen stiff, as a cold darkness washed up from behind her. Jacob's voice sounded a million miles away as her eyes watched the red and blue lights flicker through her curtains from the outside. The sting of tears punched through the steely surface of her frozen face.

Please, she pleaded to herself. Don't be here. It's not real.

But the insistent knock on the door of their new home shattered all hopes of being just a bad dream. It waited for her on the other side.

She slowly walked over to the front door, tears running down her face. She could barely catch her breath. Her hand hover over the knob and negotiated to herself of opening the door. "Please be okay, please be okay," she whispered. Finally, she opened the door and looked up at the two police officers on her porch behind a backdrop of bright first responder lights. Neither held much of a poker face. They obviously were harbingers of terrible news tonight.

"Mrs. Howerton?" the one on the right asked.

Diane gathered enough strength to nod. "Yes. Is this about my Christian?"

The officer on the left nodded. "I'm afraid so, ma'am."

Diane stood there, held up by sheer will from some other world while her worst fears were delivered to her. She couldn't move. Couldn't escape the nightmare. He was always supposed to be there. He promised. Her lips were hurting struggling to hold back the flood of pain and emotion, but it finally won when she had no way to escape the fact that Christian was gone forever.