Work Text:
July 13, 2026
He knew he was different before he even opened his eyes that morning.
Alan remained completely absolutely still, terrified for an inexplicable reason to open his eyes. He didn’t know why, but when he opened them he knew that everything would change. Ten seconds. Twenty. Forty.
He counted to 100 methodically in his head.
And then did it again.
And then three more times.
As he began to start over for a sixth time he was interrupted. “I can hear you thinking but I can’t tell what it’s about.” Ellie’s voice was always the most calming force he’d encountered.
A flush of warmth that only she can call flooded him and suddenly he couldn’t wait to see her. And when he finally opened his eyes, to his relief she was there.
Lying next to him, one arm folded beneath her pillow, weak morning light cut through the curtains casting a soft halo around her.
“Did I die?” he asked gently barely able to force the words out.
“I can’t,” he shook his head trying to make sense of it and falling short. “I can’t explain it, but I feel irrevocably different - I am changed somehow today.”
“You didn’t die,” she assured him before propping herself up on an elbow to lean in closer.
“But I know what you mean, I’ve been awake for probably ten minutes now. I have the same inexplicable feeling.”
He reached across and folded his fingers atop hers squeezing gently, reassuring herself they were both still here. She remained his touchstone, and as he began to run his thumb along the back of her hand the haunting feeling began to dissipate in his body, but not his mind.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said suddenly before he’d even thought the words.
An amused expression adorned her lips. “Alan, it is Monday morning. We have a faculty meeting at 9 and we also have to review-” she began in protest but a quick jerk of his head stopped before she could continue further. Alan’s eyes traced every inch of her in a desperate attempt to reassure him that he was truly seeing her. She was whole, she was real, he was hers.
“Ellie, I need to take a sabbatical. We do. In fact, it may be time for me to retire from full time professorship. I’ve spent too many seconds of my life not with you. I don’t care if we stay home or if we go anywhere you want in the world. I hesitated to many times with you, with us. I took for granted the time we once had, and I spent decades regretting. I walked away too many times because it was what I thought was the right thing, the safe thing to do. I should’ve kissed you anyway, despite it all I should’ve kissed you that night we both stood in your driveway. Worlds away but only inches apart, I should’ve kissed you right then.”
He pulled her fingertips to his mouth placing gentle reverent kisses on the pad of each of her fingers.
“I can’t explain it,” he continued, as hit sharp pricks stung his eyes. “But I had the strangest sensation -,” he paused to breath deeply having heard his voice crack on that last word.
Ellie, understanding as ever, remained perfectly still giving him the time he needed to collect himself.
Fighting back tears Alan continued, “I was so frightened, Ellie. I thought I had lost everything before I opened my eyes this morning. I thought I had passed…”
His final words hung between them for long seconds that stretched out before Ellie closed the space between them in a rush and pressed her lips to his in a fevered passionate kiss that sent his head spinning through the clouds.
He responded with equal fervor for several minutes before his screaming lungs demanded to be filled. As they broke apart, both softly gasping she cradled his face in both of her hands. With tear filled eyes she whispered, “I’ve never wanted anything more than to live every possible second I can with you. But know that death couldn’t even separate us again. Nothing will. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant. In life, and beyond.”
As had occurred countless times before, Alan Grant failed to find the right words. But he pulled Ellie fiercely to him and he closed his eyes once more, this time without fear. They stayed there for the longest stretch of time, arms curved around the other, bodies nestled together as the rhythm of both their hearts thrummed together in perfect unison.