(FLASHBACK) Sparks of Love

I'm going to focus on romance today, because there's nothing better to discuss on such a wonderful day. Below is a short, tender moment between Lt. Sarah Bryson and her husband, William Bryson, from Ruby Caves. This is an important scene. The hug, the quietness- a moment to let everyone relax before the extreme, inevitable violence. This is one of the parts where I actually (mostly) stray from putting my characters into emotional turmoil. Here, Sarah is fighting the past, even while remembering it. Remembering helps her keep focus of what's ahead of her.

*************************** Sarah stole a fry off William’s plate, smiling to herself as he didn’t notice, and plopped it into her mouth before he could turn to her. The early stages of a food coma and exhaustion began to hit her as she watched one of the storage locker reality shows with heavy eyes. She could hear Doc slurping wet food and ramming his bowl into the wall with his snout in the kitchen. Michael sat on the other couch. His plate had three bites of hot dog left. He was beginning to doze now too. Reluctantly, Sarah pulled herself from William’s body warmth and collected all of the paper plates. She threw them away, rinsed out Doc’s bowl, and turned to see William heading into their room at the end of the hall. Sarah squatted and scratched Doc behind the ears. She ran her hands down under his doggy sweater, allowing his rough fur to warm her skin. For a few seconds everything felt right in the world. Right then and there was the final stretch of the first night of their vacation, one of many- from her home in New Jersey, and then down to Savannah, a swing around to the French Quarter, and then a short trip to Crater Lake. They finally went home after nearly one month on the road. A month away from Murdoch, from the sheriff’s department, from the L.R.S.C. headquarters, and most importantly, from the still-fresh blood left behind by Adrian Fayette. She had to admit to herself though, this is not a vacation; we are biding our time. Murdoch licked her chin three times, distracting her from the burdens of the past. We shouldn’t have to run. We did nothing wrong. No doubts. “Stop,” she gasped, laughing, freeing herself from his sweater after he continued his wet attack. “Stop, stop, stop.” His tail beat against the breakfast bar. She stood straight, escaping from the dog. She groaned as she stretched her back. William sat on the couch, hands on his elbows, hands folded before his face, with an enigmatic smile towards Michael. He stood up and came to the kitchen. Murdoch stepped out of his way, nails clacking. They really, really need to be clipped, she thought blankly. She reached up to hold her cheek against William’s shoulder. The dog left them left them to their love and loudly snorted in Michael’s face. “Oh my god go away,” Michael bemoaned. She saw Michael shove Doc’s head away with his hand. Murdoch groaned like an old man and curled up in front of the couch. Sarah latched on to the subtle scent of William’s eleven-hour-old cologne. It reminded her of the Pine Barrens, and the fire she had started in a pit on the first night they met twenty four years ago. She adored the scent, and had even bought Michael a bottle for his sixteenth birthday, back in April. Still so young, she thought with a bittersweet smile for her son. They held each other for a long time. Sarah almost fell asleep, trusting that he would hold her there until the end of the world if she needed. William gently stroked her back. He breathed in the scent of her hair, almost like he was trying to remembers, if he would lose her in all the chaos. Impossible, Sarah thought with resolution, you’ll never lose me. Eventually he let her go.

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This scene is also important because it lets us know the strength of their love for each other. They're finally able to act like a husband and wife, even for a small moment. It does not matter that I add Michael's tussle with the clingy Murdoch. Both dog and son are a major part of their life, and one of many major bonding points. They work off each other like a fine red wine and cheese. Sarah, hot headed. William, cold and calculating. Now, we end with another moment. If you've seen my Twitter or Facebook feeds, you've seen this. Sarah: "I didn't fall in love with the best William. I fell in love with you." Have a beautiful day ladies and gentlemen, and enjoy this phenomenal (in my opinion) romantic short film that perfectly captures this Valentines Day and lost loves.