He Cares for Her (Part 1)
A familiar female voice drifted through the crack in the door: "Jack, what would you like for dinner? Should I make you some soup?"
"Emmy, no need to trouble yourself. Just stir-fry a couple of dishes," Jack replied.
"It's no trouble. I'm happy to do it. Rock is coming over tonight. I have something I need to talk to him about. Is that okay?" Emily said.
Alison's heart suddenly tightened.
Could it be that Emily and Jack...?
No, that couldn't be.
She slowly closed the door, suddenly afraid to hear Jack's response.
The key slid smoothly from the lock. She quietly returned it to its place, then turned and sprinted toward the stairwell. She raced up the stairs to the rooftop terrace of the apartment building.
A solitary figure stood on the terrace, fingering the chain around her wrist—perhaps a keepsake from her mother.
Does Emily have a similar item?
...
Twilight descended silently. Alison stood in the wind, calling him to leave and instructed him not to tell Aidan that she was near the apartment.
The night deepened gradually as lights began to flicker on in the surrounding buildings.
Christmas was almost here.
Would Jack and I be together for Christmas?
But what about Emily?
Am I the outsider?
Closing her eyes, tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.
Ever since Jack barred her from entering his world and forbade her from accompanying him through his recovery, her heart had grown cold.
Unnoticed, she drifted off to sleep.
Suddenly, the familiar scent of cologne filled her nostrils.
She slowly opened her eyes, surprise crossing her face.
A gentle hand stroked her cheek softly.
"Jack..."
"Silly girl, why didn't you call me?" He had waited so long, as he did every night, loving the sound of her calling him.
He'd only planned to smoke a cigarette, but the moment he opened the rooftop door, she appeared vividly before his eyes.
He lost all reason and rushed toward her.
Alison was swept into his arms.