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My emotions are a tumbling, clashing swirl. The shock and disbelief cautiously give way to an uncertain joy and a frantic need to touch him. He carries me a few steps into the living room and sits on the couch with me straddling his lap.
Sobs rack my body, and he holds me, rubbing my back. “It’s okay, El. It’s alright.”
Finally, I manage to get a sliver of control over myself and sit up to look at him. “I can’t believe this,” I choke out, bringing my palm to his jaw. “It’s like a miracle. I keep waiting to wake up.”
His soft lips find mine in a gentle kiss. “It’s real. I’m so fucking sorry it took me this long to remember.”
“Don’t.” I run my hand through his hair. “I should’ve known. Identical or not, I should’ve known.”
He sweeps a tear off my face with his thumb. “The doctors told you I was dead, and Oliver was alive. You had no reason to doubt that.”
“I’ve missed you. Den, I’ve missed you so much.”
He holds me tight again while I bury my face in his neck. “I know, sweetheart. I watched you grieve, and I’d give anything to go back and keep you from suffering like that.”
“I have you back now, that’s all that matters. You’re here now.”
I’m not sure how long we stay there, holding each other. My hands wander over him constantly, reassuring me that yes, he’s really here. It’s the cold that finally pulls us apart. The power must’ve gone out early in the night last night because it’s almost cold enough to see my breath in here.
Alden tucks my hair behind my ear. “It’s cold. I’m going to build a fire.”
“I’ll go grab some blankets from upstairs,” I offer, and reluctantly climb off his lap.
Part of me is still scared to let him out of my sight. Like this whole thing might dissolve or pop like a bubble. I can hear him banging around, probably getting more firewood from the garage while I pull down a stack of blankets from the closet.
My notification light on my phone blinks from my bedside table where I plugged it in last night. It’s fully charged, and I have a text from Milo, checking on me because of the power outage. He tells me that most of the city is affected. I shoot a quick message back saying we’re fine.
I can only imagine how everyone else is going to react when they find out. How thrilled they’ll be to see him. The real him. And how heartbroken for Oliver.
Before returning downstairs, I change into a pair of warm leggings and a sweatshirt. The cuffs of my jeans were soaked from the snow. Alden’s probably are too. He still has a few pair of sweatpants in the dresser, and I grab one then hurry back down to him.
A fire roars in the fireplace, and he looks back at me with a sheepish grin. “I may have overdone it.”
“Nah, look outside. We’re supposed to get another six inches today. The warmer the better. Power is probably out for the duration.” I hold up the sweatpants. “I thought you might want these.”
“If you want me to take off my pants, just ask, El.”
It’s a stupid joke. But the remark along with his grin hits me right in the chest.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I was just trying to lighten things up,” he says, rushing over to me when tears fill my eyes.
“I’m fine,” I laugh, wiping my eyes. “You just…sound like you.”
“I am me.” He changes out of his jeans, and we cuddle in the middle of the couch, a big blanket spread over us.
“You need to tell your lawyer!” I exclaim, sitting up straight when it hits me. “They meant to charge Oliver! You won’t have to go to trial or anything.”
He tugs me back to curl up beside him. “I already left Lowell a message and sent him an email telling him everything. I’ll need his help to prove my identity.” He grins at me. “I doubt they’ll take my word for it.”
“Dental records?”
“That’s what I was thinking. I sent him the name of my dentist and tried to call them, but they’re closed today.”
The wind picks up, blowing snow against the living room window. “The second part of the storm is here,” I mumble, playing with his hand. I can’t stop touching him. “This is the second time I’ve gotten you back during a snowstorm.”
He smiles down at me. “I just showed up on your doorstep then too.”
Joy fills me every time he remembers something. “You did.”
