Shalee Stewart
PG-13
December 2002-2004
Prelude to ‘In Time of Tide and Tempest’
A chill December wind was blowing off the
Four-year-old Kaley
Bridger noted the presence of her father as soon as he stepped into the
doorway, she smiled at him as she handed up another ornament to her mother.
Kristin Bridger was perched on a stool leaning into the eight-foot evergreen,
which was being decorated for the season.
Nathan placed a finger against his lips, as he
exchanged looks with his daughter. Kaley smiled widely and nodded in
understanding. Passing the ornament in her hand up to Kristin, Kaley
immediately stepped back to allow Nathan to take her place. Focused on her
task, Kristin never noted the switch.
“Kaley, could you please hand me the next one?”
“Which one, Mama?” Kaley asked innocently.
Kristin looked in the direction her daughter’s
voice had come from and saw her standing several feet away. At that same
moment, she felt an ornament being placed in her hand.
“Kal--“ Kristin started as she jerked her head and
looked downward into the smiling eyes of her husband. “Nathan Bridger, you--”
Nathan barely had time to catch his wife, as she
launched herself at him from her perch. Together they crashed to the heavily
carpeted floor.
“Oof-“ Nathan groaned as they hit the floor.
Nathan was on his back and Kristin was lying fully on top of him, their lips
meeting in a fevered kiss. Then suddenly her face buried in his neck. “Kris-“
Nathan said as he attempted move, it was then realized his beautiful wife was
shaking like a leaf. “Honey, what is it?”
“Mmmmf—“ Kristin mumbled, refusing to relinquish
her hold on him. Nathan felt wetness penetrating his shirt.
“Oh sweetheart, it’s alright. I didn’t mean to
scare you.” Nathan was undone; he’s never seen her act like this.
With considerable effort, Kristin pushed herself
up to stare down at her husband’s face. Seeing the uncertainty and concern in
his eyes, she abruptly rolled away, pressing her back against the sofa and
covering face with her hands as she weep softly.
Nathan sat up with a low groan as Kaley came to
his side. Nathan pulled her into his lap as he hugged her. The little girl
snuggled in her father’s embrace as both of their dark blue gazes focused on
the woman next to the sofa.
“Mama had a bad dream last night. She cried. I was
scared.” Kaley whispered in a voice that held her mother’s British inflections.
“Okay kiddo, tell you what. I’ll take care of your
Mama. Can you go ask Mrs. Trent to bring us some tea?”
“Yes, Papa. Can I have some hot chocolate with little
marshmallows too?”
“You bet.” Nathan said as he kissed her soft
curls. Kaley rose and walked to the doorway; she looked back to see her father
join her mother. A smile crept to her lips as closed the door behind, she knew
things were going to be okay now. Papa would make it better.
Nathan settled on the floor next to Kristin, a
hand going up to gently push the hair back from her face as she lifted it to
look at him.
“So, are you going to tell me what the dream was
about?”
Kristin drew a deep breath as she
whispered, “You died.”
Nathan stared at her, understanding
now. He let her continue.
“You were on a trip for the UEO. One
minute, you were in a conference with Bill Noyce and Secretary General Cabot, the
next you were drowning. I tried to save you, but you kept sinking deeper. It
was getting darker and darker. I reached for your hand, but I couldn’t touch
you, then you were gone.” Kristin shook her head. “It felt so real Nathan. I’d
never had a dream like that.”
“Why didn’t you try and call me?”
Nathan asked as he pulled her into his arms, tenderly stroking her hair.
“When I woke Kaley was lying next to
me. I had awakened her with my cries and
she was there to comfort me. I let her, Nathan. Our precious baby played
comforter to her mother. She did like you’re doing now, stroking my hair and
telling me it was okay. It was only dream and you would be home very soon.”
“Kaley is a very special child. She
understands much more than other children her age.”
“It’s almost too much of a burden
for her. She’s growing up to fast, Nathan.”
“I know it seems that way, but we
still have about fifteen years of growing left to enjoy.” Nathan said as he
placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
“I hope so.” Kristin whispered,
hugged him tightly. “Nathan, promise me something.”
“Anything, my love, if I can.”
“Stay off airplanes for a while.”
“I’ll try my best.” Nathan
proclaimed as he stood, pulling Kristin up with him. Once on their feet, the
two came together in a real embrace. They lost themselves in each other, until
the discreet clearing of a throat pulled them apart.
“Mrs. Trent, come in please.” Nathan
said as he moved forward to take the serving tray from her. Nathan noted the
contents of tray, didn’t contain tea but two snifters of brandy and a mug of
hot chocolate, with marshmallows on the side.
“Admiral, welcome home. Kaley said,
that you wanted some tea. I thought, you may prefer something a little
stronger.” The older woman said, sweeping a gaze at Kristin. “There’s little
something left from dinner, if you and the Admiral are hungry later, mum.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Trent. That sounds
fine.”
The housekeeper nodded with a gentle
smile just as Kaley entered the room dragging more than carrying a large
stuffed gorilla.
“Papa, Homey missed you too. Can he
have a hug?”
“Sure, Honey.” Nathan said as
scooped up girl and gorilla, hugging them tightly. They proceeded to dance
around the room, father and daughter filling it with laughter.
Kristin and Mrs. Trent exchanged
looks at their antics. After a moment Mrs. Trent bide them goodnight. Everything appeared back to normal in the
Bridger household, but Kristin couldn’t help but wonder as she sat on the arm
of the sofa, how long it was going to last. Nathan’s promise was heartfelt she
knew, but things had a way pulling him along. Especially when it came to the
UEO and Bill Noyce, Nathan had a very hard time saying no.
“Hey, whatcha thinking about?”
Nathan asked as slid in behind her placing an arm about her shoulders as they
watched Kaley and Homey play under the tree.
“Nothing. Really.” Kristin affirmed
as she leaned back against his chest.
“Don’t give me that, Kristin
Bridger. I know you’re worried about my promise. I’ll try my damnest to stand
by it.” Nathan told her as they rose.
“I know. That’s why, I let you go,
when you can’t.”
“Oh, Kris,” Nathan said in a hushed
voice as he pulled her into his arms. “I’ll promise you something, I can abide
by no matter what.” He pushed back from her to look into her eyes, noted for
the millionth time how much they reflected her emotional state. “Baby, I will
always love you and Kaley with my whole heart.” Kaley heard her name and smiled
sweetly at her parents as she wrapped tinsel around Homey’s head. Nathan smiled
back as he tightened his arms around
Kristin, her face buried in his neck. “No one or nothing will ever
change that. Things may happen to take me from you for a while, but I will come
back to my heart. That’s you, Kristin Westphalen-Bridger. You are my heart and
my life.”
“As are you my love, just as Kaley
is the icing that heart.”
“Absolutely, now let’s help our
daughter make that darn ugly gorilla that Leslie Farina got her a little less
homey, er homely.”
Kristin nodded as she raised her
lips to his for the gentle kiss he offered. Hand and hand they joined Kaley.
A gaiety filled the room as the
family Bridger, settled in and had a very merry Christmas, indeed.
Home to
Bridger's Folly
