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The sounds of bullets whizzing through the air fades as Clifford opens his eyes. He's greeted with warm morning light peeking in through the windows. He follows the beams down to his wife Lisa, laid in bed next to him. She's curled up with a pillow supporting her growing belly, their baby nestled safely there.
Clifford smiles at the sight. He was scared to be a father, but he couldn't have been happier to have a family with Lisa.
As brutal and brilliant As the man had been in combat, he was just as devoted and gentle to his wife and growing baby boy.
He shifts slightly under their covers, bringing himself closer to Lisa. He places his hand carefully against her belly. His hands are worn from combat, but comforting and warm.
He leans in closer and kisses Lisa on the temple, breathing her in before he pulls away to watch her stir.
He smiles again. She's so beautiful like this, carrying their future.
“Anomalisa..” he says warmly, he shifts, his other hand moving to brush some strands of hair from her face.
The woman rouses slowly, blinking heavily and peering at Clifford. He was always a welcome sight, even with puffy, sleep filled eyes and bedhead. He was the most handsome man she’d ever met.
“Good morning, Cliff.” She whispers, a sleepy smile playing on her lips.
This was a simple moment in time that in the grand scheme seemed like it would be forgotten, but Clifford would remember. He'd remember the way she smelled, the way her skin felt under his fingertips, the glow she had, and how the morning light accentuated her natural beauty.
“Good morning,” he greets her in return.
“Feeling alright today? Your back still hurting?” His hand moves around, gently massaging the tender muscles as they talk.
Lisa hums, comfortable and sleepy. She peeks at Clifford again after a moment.
“I feel okay.. but if you're in the business of giving massages, I'm definitely not opposed to being treated to one-” she chuckles softly, letting her eyes close.
“Consider me a professional massage therapist.” He laughs too, a gravely and comforting sound.
He keeps his hand on her back, fingers slowly shifting and kneading away.
Lisa hums again, tired eyes once more returning to Clifford.
Clifford simply locks his gaze with hers, taking in the beautiful sight she is. After a few long moments, his voice breaks the silence.
“Getting closer to the day,” he says. His eyes glimmer with excitement at the prospect of their son being born.
“I know,” Lisa responds gently. “You're going to be a great father, Cliff.” She lifts her hand and touches Clifford’s cheek, thumb brushing the stubble there.
Clifford feels his heart flutter, turning his face and kissing into Lisa's palm.
“And you, a wonderful mother,” he adds.
As scared as he felt at times, battling with the idea that he may not always be around; Lisa made him feel like everything would work out. He can't imagine where he'd be without her.
Clifford shifts again, bringing himself closer to Lisa's belly. He places a gentle kiss there, his hand moving to touch along her skin. It's almost like he's gently waking their son, too.
Lisa watches with adoration.
“Your big day will be here before you know it..” he whispers. He can feel a gentle kick against his palm, and it makes him laugh. The sound of her husband’s laugh always makes Lisa’s heart beat a little faster. Their baby was always so active, and luckily Clifford absolutely loved to talk to him.
Lisa sighs contently, her hand layering over the one Clifford has on her belly.
“If only he'd stop putting pressure on my bladder until then-” she huffs a laugh, implying she'd need to get up and use the bathroom.
Clifford chuckles and untangles himself from their sheets, going around the bed to help Lisa sit up. She does so with a groan, hands moving to support her belly. Clifford scoots her slippers closer with a foot so she can slide them on.
She takes his hand, using it for support as she stands. She thanks him softly and waddles to the bathroom. The door softly clicks as she closes it.
Clifford stares at the bathroom for a moment, a few thoughts passing through his head. He loves Lisa so much. He loves being home with her. He loves being the one to keep her safe.
His thoughts are interrupted for a second, hearing the sound of a plane outside. It sounded low, but that wasn't entirely uncommon. He breathes out from his nose and decides to make their bed, fixing the pillows and blankets, then leaving their bedroom.
He finds his way to the kitchen, putting on a pot of coffee and fixing himself something to eat. He'd wait to fix Lisa anything until she'd join him, sure she'd feel a craving for something specific.
When Lisa finally emerges from the bathroom again, Clifford watches her enter the kitchen. Everything the woman does is just beautiful. He moves over to her, gently taking her hands as he moves around to hold her.
Lisa chuckles, seeing how good of a mood Clifford is in. She accepts all the little touches and affections the man gives to her, cherishing every one.
Clifford carefully pulls the woman back against him. His hands support her belly gently. He sways as he hugs Lisa.
“What’ll it be for breakfast today? Some fruit and yogurt? A bit of toast and an egg?”
Lisa hums, leaning her head back against Clifford’s shoulder, humming a sigh as she closes her eyes and thinks. It just feels nice to have some of that weight supported.. and it feels nice to be held so tenderly by the man she loves.
“Fruit does sound good.. hm. Do we have grits? Oatmeal?”
Clifford purses his lips as he thinks for a moment, his arms loosen and he gives Lisa a peck on the cheek before moving away.
“Let me check,” he says as he peers in the pantry. He would end up finding both and lets Lisa decide what she ultimately wants.
It’s not long at all before they’re both sitting together on the porch, enjoying the morning air as they have breakfast. Lisa is somewhat leaned against Clifford. He keeps an arm around her comfortably, the both of them gently swaying on the porch swing.
“Do you think the baby will follow in your footsteps and join the army?” Lisa asks.
Clifford huffs before responding, “I’ll be doing the most I can to direct him away from that sort of horror. I'm not so sure how long the country will hold itself together, either.”
Lisa hums at that, understanding it without an explanation. Clifford had been through a lot.
”I like to think he’d be some sort of.. explorer.. maybe an astronaut. There’s a freedom in that.”
“A freedom you’d wished you had yourself?” Lisa asks. It’s almost out of the blue that she says that. Her eyes are gentle and set forward, looking out into the yard that seems to fade away into fog in the distance.
“Lisa-“ he shifts to look at his wife, a hand moving to gently hold her chin, their eyes meeting. He continues, “before we met, I felt like I could be as reckless as I wanted. Just a soldier at the disposal of the army, even though I always returned with my troops safely- I was operating on borrowed time.. but having you and this baby, I know I can’t leave you. Protecting the both of you as a husband and father, it’s like a new directive. I’m completely devoted to you both.”
Lisa watches as Clifford speaks, her eyes moving between his own and down to his lips to watch the words leave his mouth.
“Nothing could get in the way of that.” Clifford says.
A soft but almost solemn smile pulls at the corners of Lisa’s lips. She leans into Clifford and the man embraces her close, tucking her head under his chin. He isn't sure why deep in his gut this conversation made him feel terrified to the point of being sick. He closes his eyes, leaning his face into Lisa’s hair now, breathing the soft, familiar scent of her shampoo.
“You’re a good man, Clifford.” Lisa whispers. “I love you more than I could put into words.”
Clifford tightens their embrace ever so slightly, that sort of thing coming from Lisa always made him feel vulnerable. She saw him and all of his intentions.
“I love you too, Anomalisa.” Clifford holds her for a long moment, soaking in what it was they shared here.
A gentle rain begins to fall, the sound of raindrops softly tapping the awning of the porch. The couple lifts their heads, greeted by the still shining sun. The rain continues to fall, catching golden rays and bending them into rainbows. It was one of those perfect late summer, early fall rains.
Clifford gazes out at their walkway, watching as the droplets wet the concrete.
“Come on,” He says softly, getting up and gently tugging her up with him.
Clifford leads Lisa out into the grass. The sound of distant thunder rolling through the air.
Lisa lifts her head, letting droplets fall on her face. They were like tiny kisses from the sky. She laughs, hands holding Clifford’s arms.
Clifford watches Lisa, unable to help the smile on his face as he admires her enjoying the rain. He hopes their baby might share the same love and enjoyment for all the little moments. He hopes the baby will be like Lisa.
“He’s kicking again-” Lisa says excitedly, looking down. She brushes her fingertips down Clifford’s arms, taking his hands and bringing them to her belly. Clifford can feel the little kicks under the thin fabric of her shirt.
“Must be wondering what all the excitement is about,” Clifford says, chuckling. His hands brush over her bump, sometimes finding it hard to believe that he was lucky enough to end up where he is now.
Clifford draws Lisa into another hug, slowly beginning to sway and dance with her. He’s so careful with her, like he’s afraid he might hurt her.
They don’t head for cover even as it rains harder.
Lisa looks so happy. It makes Clifford happy.
The two laugh, practically frolicking in the downpour. Something that in the future, they would never be able to do, both because of their fates and the time-fall.
Clifford twirls Lisa out, then pulls her in and sways. The rain and thunder was the only music they needed.
He presses their foreheads together, their clothes saturated.
Nothing mattered to Clifford more than Lisa and their baby in this moment. His hands touch her face as he looks at her, feeling that somehow he fell harder for the woman every day. He brushes their lips together, initiating a long, tender kiss in the rain.
Lisa’s hands touch Clifford’s chest, feeling the man’s warm skin even under the wet clothing.
The moment passes by slowly, as if the world had stopped for them, just for a second.
When Clifford finally pulls back, a black ink pools in the corners of his eyes, staining his cheeks as it runs down his face.
Lisa gives Clifford a look of adoration, despite the sight before her. It was only the reality of things, now.
“You've done what you felt was right for our family. I couldn't ask for a better partner. Even in death, you persist. What strength that takes-”
Clifford feels himself shudder as the memory twists into something new. Their home is swallowed by fog. The grass is flooded over with thick tar. It climbs up Clifford’s body, the feeling cold and heavy. Just like his tactical gear that he only realizes now he’s wearing.
“I'll be waiting for you, Cliff.” Lisa says softly. Her warm touch lingers on Clifford’s chest as the feeling of loneliness returns.
Clifford often relived the initial memory as it was one of the last few he had while Lisa was still alive, only it was being plagued by his current state. Plagued by how many things he wished he had done differently.
He felt like she always waited just at the edge of his vision, right out of his grasp. It was a longing he could hardly stand.
He grows weary, his unfinished business taking a toll on his soul.
Despite this, he was devoted to his son. He would make certain, no matter how long he had to linger in limbo- he would keep his promise to both Lisa and their baby.
His eyes open, slowly gazing at the ruins around him. It was lonely here, the spirits surrounding him were just shadows, no memory and hardly a form. They weren’t like him.
He takes a breath, a cigarette manifesting between his fingers before he takes a long drag.
He has a BB to find. Their son.
His bridge to the future.