Into the Cold

Reaching the cabin Caleb found the door bolted locking him out.

"Amelia," he yelled, banging his fists against the wood. "Amelia let me in."

After what seemed like an eternity he heard the bolt being pulled back, the door opening to reveal a rumpled, puffy eyes Amelia.

"What do you want?" she asked, not opening the door completely. "I can't go anywhere until the plane comes back for me.

"Just let me stay here for two weeks, then I'll be out of your life forever."

"Amelia," Caleb sighed, resting his throbbing head against the solidness of the door, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those terrible things.

"Please," he begged, "let me in."

Wiping her nose with her sleeve Amelia stepped back, letting him come in.

"Listen Caleb," she said, holding her fluffy robe closed, "as soon as my pilot comes back I will leave, and you have you life back."

"I don't want that life back," he said, taking a tentative step towards her.

"Without you, I have no life," he breathed, his arm reaching for her.

“I didn’t think I would ever see you again,” he sobbed, moving quickly to grip her arm.

“Caleb,” she gasped, surprised by his sudden movement.

"I love you," he said, planting kisses all over her face.

"Caleb," she breathed, needed him to understand. “I can’t stay.”

“What?” he demanded stepping back, looking as if he’d been punched.

“Please listen,” she urged, reaching to cup his face. “I can’t stay here, in the mountains, with you.”

“Why did you bother coming back?” he asked angrily, slapping her hands away.

“I came back for you,” she replied, trying desperately to keep him calm, to keep him from leaving again. “I love you.”

“You love me?” he scoffed, storming around the small room. “You love me, but not enough to stay?”

“I can’t stay,” she said, her hands clasped to her chest, pleadingly.

“Why?” he demanded loudly. “Why won’t you stay?”

“I said I can’t stay,” Amelia replied hotly, angry that this was not the reunion she’d dreamed of.

“Then, why can’t, you stay?” he demanded hotly.

“I’m pregnant,” she replied, her voice raised so she could be heard over his.

“What?” he asked, his eyes looking her up and down.

“Well,” she sighed, slumping into one of the chairs. “We humped like rabbits for months on end, never taking any precautions. What did we expect?”

“I didn’t…” he said, sitting heavily onto the bed looking at her.

“I’m not asking for a commitment,” Amelia said, reaching across the small distance to touch his knee. “I just thought you should know that you’re going to be a father.”

“Amelia,” Caleb breathed, taking her hand in his.

“I’ve bought a house outside of Anchorage,” she said, offering a gentle squeeze. “I know you love this life, and I would never ask you to give it up, but I can’t have a baby out here.

"Whenever you make it to town," she assured him, "we’ll be there for you.”

“No,” he replied, taking his hand from hers, “you won’t.”

“Oh,” Amelia said, her heart sinking.

“You won’t have to wait for me,” Caleb clarified. “I do love this life, but I love you more. I want to come back with you. I want to be with you and our child.”

Rising, Caleb pulled Amelia into his arms, his lips seeking out hers. No more words were exchanged that night as they explored each others body over and over again, Caleb touching her stomach reverently.