*Present
Emmeline was staring intently at Matthew and then she noticed his gaze had changed. He held her tighter and kissed her as if she was his life. Emmeline felt relief wash over her. He remembered her!
The little barrier in his mind let some of his memories flow through, just a small trickle. He pulled away from the kiss and then held her more tightly. He remembered Emmeline, his Emmeline. The joy he felt was beyond comparison. It felt like it was just yesterday they were taking the wagon South.
However, the pure bliss that was showing on his face fell suddenly to be replaced by darkness and his hand went to his neck. Emmeline understood the action and understood his emotional state as she had just gone threw that when she has 'woken up'. She grabbed his hand caressing it and gently shook her head. "No my love, that was in the past. You are whole and you are here."
Emmeline herself didn't fully understand what had happened. The last thing she recalled was pulling the trigger of the gun on herself, but for some reason unbeknownst to her she was transported to the Octagon House. She isn't sure, exactly what happened to him, but she guessed that he was reborn? Because he did not end up at the Octagon House in the ghost state. All she knows is that something happened, but she doesn't know what and therefore could provide Matthew with no formal explanation.
While Matthew and Emmeline were having their moment (it appeared that they forget about the two other people in the room). Ania and Gregory had stopped eating. Ania still had the fork midway to her mouth which was wide open. She had shock and bewilderment on her face. Gregory just watched unsure of what was unfolding in front of him. He did a much better job at managing the confusion he was feeling.
Ania and Gregory were both thinking the same thing ...my love...? What happened in the last couple minutes that went from them being friends to lovers. They definitely were kissing like lovers! What the....?
After a minute of just looking at each other. Emmeline realized how quiet the room had gotten. She turned her face away from Matthew and looked at the other two, the once ghosts, now humans. She reached for his hand and dragged him over to the table, "Eat. And we can talk."
Matthew did as he was instructed. They all just stared at each other for a while processing everything that had happened in the last 6 hours or so. The first to break the silence was Ania.
"So, what the F*CK happened?"
Gregory turned to her, "You may be alive now, but that doesn't mean I'll accept that language at this table."
Ania rolled her eyes and Gregory raised a brow. The two stared at each other for 30 straight seconds before Ania looked away. Gregory had won the unofficial standoff between the two.
"So," she looked over at Gregory. "What I meant to say is what is going on?" Ania spoke extra sweetly to appease Gregory.
"You mean about Matthew and I? Or the fact that we were dead and are now alive?"
"Well both! But frankly I am far more interested in the two of you!" Ania bit her lips and leaned her head on both her hands waiting for Emmeline or Matthew to speak. She was 'so' ready for their story!
"Well, um." Emmeline paused for a moment unsure of how to continue. "I thought it would be easier to explain! Its like I only know half the story." Emmeline murmured.
Ania moved her eyes from Matthew to Emmeline and then back again. "Well I want to know about the lovers part anyway, so if you would, please continue." She leaned even closer to the two across the table.
Gregory shook his head, but he didn't say anything. He was waiting patiently. Emmeline explained the story, at least of what she could recall. Ania was pleased and squealed in delight. Gregory maintained a neutral face but he was concerned as there were only more questions for which they had no answers.
"As far as what happened that we are all flesh, blood, and bone again, I haven't a clue." Emmeline paused and she thought about Mr. Williams, but he should be dead...right? "I feel it is all related and I feel Mr. Williams may have some part in it all. Needless to say I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach."
"The creepy Mr. Williams? He has to be dead, nobody can live that long!" Ania said trying to act like she knew what she was talking about. She had heard about Mr. Williams from the story Emmeline had just told but she couldn't even fathom how it was related.
Emmeline shook her head, "Maybe, but I don't know?"
"Even if he is still alive, he wouldn't still be held up on you, would he?" This time Matthew spoke.
"I don't know, but it felt like it was something more he wanted from me than my hand in marriage." Emmeline shook her head trying to get the thought of him out of her head. Emmeline leaned into Matthew and with him by her side she just felt whole and happy.
Matthew was being quiet because he had the two lives that he was trying to sort out, was this the reason for his headache? Unfortunately, while they were trying to work this out several flash bang grenades and smoke bombs bursted in the room. Suddenly the four very much alive people where blinded and coughing. Mass confusion ensued.