"25" 1/3
Mike walked alone on the each beside the Pad, letting his mind wander. And -- as it did with ever important event -- it wandered to his absent wife.
She had wanted a June wedding, but money had been a problem. Still, she'd had her heart set on one, so they'd eloped.
They'd had three completely fantastic years together. Her pregnancy had almost killed her, and then he'd been tempted to be unfaithful -- but they'd weathered the storms and come out stronger.
She was a fantastic mother, a wonderful lover, and everything else he could ever have wanted. Their third anniversary -- now that they'd had money, thanks to the TV show -- they had renewed their vows,and she had had her lavish June wedding.
But two months later, their lives irrevocably changed. Powers, sterility -- oh, how they had cried over the fact that Chris would be an only child -- battles and adventures.
And then -- suddenly -- he was alone. Still married, but now a dimension away. Now, he was a studio musician/songwriter/superhero -- and she was a queen, ruling a land where he was forbidden to go. he didn't even know where it was.
But, Roma had assured him repeatedly that, when the time was correct, Mike and Phyllis would be reunited.
Before they died.
He still held onto that. His vigil had lasted for nearly 22 years now.
And still, he waited. faithful to her, knowing his wait would end.
He looked out over the ocean. "Happy 25th anniversary, darlin'. Forever and always -- I love you."
He shot some fireworks over the water, then lowered himself to his knees and prayed once more for his lonely vigil to come to an end.
He would pray it every day for eight more years -- and then his long, agonising wait would come to an end at last.