The next time Stuart opened his eyes he was greeted by a vision that made him want to weep with joy. He was lay on a hospital bed on top of the covers. There were wires dangling from a monitor, draped across his naked body, but not connected to him. A drip dangled from a stand at the side of the bed leaking a clear fluid that formed in a pool on the floor. There were used bandages on the pillow under his head. The room was in semi-darkness. To his right was a wooden framed armchair. Sat in the chair was his beloved Lauren, sleeping. He stared at her, enjoying the familiarity. The dark, smooth complexion, the long eyelashes, twitching as she slept. The long black, shiny hair reflecting the dim light from a lamp on the bedside cabinet. The rose red lips that he longed to kiss. He wanted to wake her and tell her everything was going to be ok. But at the same time he wanted to cherish this moment before all the questions and confusion that were sure to follow. He looked toward her belly, looking for any sign of the baby but her hands rested in her lap obscuring the view. He looked down at his own lean, naked body, deciding it would be wise to get under the covers. As he lifted the sheets back he discovered a pair of pyjamas stretched out on the mattress. He allowed himself a moment to consider what all of this meant. The disconnected monitor wires, the leaking drip, the bandages and the pyjamas. His counterpart must have survived the tiger attack after all. He must have been lying in this bed before Stuart’s arrival caused him to be whisked back to his own universe. He pictured him materialising in the booth dazed and confused. Being greeted by the people that loved him and were there to help him. He thought of Catherine and wondered whether the two of them could share what he almost did. He smiled at the thought of this and turned his attention back to the love of his life. Her eyes were open and she was staring at him in disbelief. “Stuart, oh my god Stuart, you are awake.” She rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her back tightly and did not want to let go but she pulled away as concern and confusion took over from the surprise. “What have you done?” She grabbed the dangling wires. “We need to get you connected back up. I’ll call the nurse.” She tried to walk away but he grabbed her arm gently and pulled her back. “I’m ok Lauren. Everything is going to be ok now. Trust me.” She looked him up and down, confusion growing on her face. She reached out and touched the side of his head and trailed her fingers down his cheek as if tracing an invisible line. She climbed onto the bed and cupped his face in her hands. She leaned forward and kissed him. The feel of her soft lips on his sent warmth radiating through his body, it took his breath away. She stared into his eyes and she asked.
“Where have you been my darling?”