Turn Back Time (The Full Circle Series Book 1)

by Annette G. Anders

  Julia said, “Sounds lovely. We can all go there together, and afterward Alexander and I will spend a few hours by ourselves. Maybe we can all meet somewhere later for our last dinner in Paris?”

  “I’d love it,” Naomi said. “Sounds like a good plan. Maybe Rev can join us, too, if they release him today.”

  “I’d like to meet him, if it’s not too much for him,” Alexander said.

  “Knowing him, he won’t sit in a hotel room. And I’m sure he’ll be more than ready for something besides hospital food,” Naomi said, and Stella agreed.

  “Have you heard from Kai? I thought you wanted to text him,” Stella said.

  “I texted him before we left the hotel, and he wrote back saying he was leaving Paris today,” Naomi said, and shrugged. “I don’t know why he didn’t tell me last night, though.”

  CHAPTER 34

  Stella—July 2018

  “T

  he painting is much smaller than I expected. I thought it’d be more like the size of a movie poster,” Naomi said. She pushed a lonely olive through the balsamic vinaigrette on her plate.

  “But doesn’t her smile fill the whole room?” Julia gushed. “No wonder it’s one of the most visited pieces of art on Earth.”

  “Once you get close enough to see it,” Naomi laughed.

  Stella finished her caprese panini and took a sip of water. “I can’t believe this week is coming to an end. So much has happened, it feels like we’ve spent a whole month in France.”

  “I’m sure you could’ve done with a little less excitement,” Julia said.

  Stella looked at David and nodded. “True, but there were also some unexpected but very wonderful moments.”

  “What are you two going to do now?” Julia asked, and looked from Stella to David. “Even though I’ve only known you a few days, it’s obvious how much you care for each other.”

  David played with his water glass. “We haven’t had time to come up with a plan. But I won’t let anything come between us again.” He leaned over and kissed Stella. “I promise!”

  “I know,” she said. “Maybe I’ll come to London for Labor Day. If I leave on Friday and stay the week through Saturday, I’ll only need four vacation days. It would break up the time till you come home in November. What do you think?”

  “Baby, if you really need an answer, here it is…” he took her face in his hands and lowered his mouth over hers.

  Finger-snapping right next to their faces interrupted the kiss. Naomi snapped once more for effect, then announced in a schoolmarmish voice, “You are in a public place, kids.”

  She glanced over to Julia and said, “A little support here, please?”

  But when she caught Julia and Alexander sharing a quick kiss, too, she jumped up and said, “Time to freshen up. Unbelievable…”

  Stella laughed and called after Naomi, “Wait, I’ll come with you.”

  “Hmph…” was the only reply.

  “I love you, too, Nam,” Stella said, and followed her friend.

  “I don’t see the young nurse from this morning,” Naomi said when they walked into the hospital again. “Let’s see how many hoops we have to jump through this time.” She asked one of the nurses in French, “Excuse me, we’re here to visit Mr. Forrester. Can you tell us where we can find him?”

  The nurse typed in Revan’s name and asked, “May I have your names?”

  “Naomi Winters and Stella Harrison.”

  “Thank you.” After consulting her computer again, the nurse said, “Both your names are on the approved list. Mr. Forrester was moved to a general room an hour ago.” She wrote the station and room number on a piece of paper, printed out their visitor passes and gave them to Naomi. Then she pointed to her right and said, “The elevators are this way.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Why didn’t you give her David’s name? We don’t have a visitors’ pass for him,” Stella asked when they were out of the nurse’s earshot.

  “Because Revan doesn’t know David is with us and couldn’t put his name on the list of visitors.” Naomi winked at David. “You just have to sneak in with us.”

  “How? He’s not very invisible.” Stella reached for his hand.

  “Well, David has to trot out his own acting skills if we’re being asked. Mine are exhausted,” Naomi said. “And the nurse didn’t even ask. She saw him standing with us.”

  “How big is this place? I wonder if people ever get lost in here,” Naomi complained when they reached Revan’s floor fifteen long minutes later.

  “It’s part of Sorbonne University, and one of the largest hospitals in Europe. I think that explains it,” David said.

  “Good! No cops anywhere, which makes it easier,” Stella said when she looked up and down the long hallway. “At least we don’t have to invent some crazy story about what relationship David and Revan have and why he wants to visit him.”

  “We could’ve recycled the fiancé story again,” he said and stroked her hand with his thumb.

  “You would pretend to be Revan’s fiancé?” Naomi commented drily. “How sweet.”

  He laughed and knocked on the door to Revan’s room, then opened it without waiting for a reply, letting Stella and Naomi walk in before he entered.

  “Look who’s here again,” Revan greeted them with a broad smile. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, he was sitting on his bed flipping through the pages of a car magazine.

  Then he zeroed in on David and said, “Man, what are you doing here?” He pointed his chin in Stella and Naomi’s direction. “And you’re in one piece? Amazing.”

  David shook Revan’s hand and said, “Long story…good to see you!” He handed him a small shopping bag. “We hope this will help you for now. We’ve already added our contact information.”

  Naomi flipped her thumb in David’s direction. “He’s still on probation.” She approached Revan’s bed and gave him a small envelope, “Here, Shutterbug. I got this for you at the store where we bought your phone. In case you have another memory lapse.”

  Stella pulled a bag of gummi bears out of her purse. “I hope the hospital allows you food from outside. Or do they watch everything you eat and drink?”

  “They don’t care anymore. Haven’t you noticed the absence of all the monitors? And no cops anywhere?” Revan said. “Soon I’ll be a free man again.”

  Stella looked around and saw a regular hospital room, not a technology-enhanced mini-lab like the Emergency Department.

  “What’s new? How are you feeling?” Naomi asked.

  “The doctors are happy with my lab results and everything else. I’m just waiting for my discharge instructions and then I’m good to go. I can’t wait to get out and take a shower without any assistance,” he looked at Naomi and grinned. “On second thought, what if I feel a little wobbly and need a helping hand?”

  “I’m sure your hotel has a little stool you can borrow to sit on in the shower. But why don’t you tell us what possessed you to go down into those mines?”

  “I was supposed to take photos. Four days later, I saw the sunlight again.” He winked, “And you, of course, Nugget. The highlight of my day so far.”

  “Nice try, Rev. We want the minute-by-minute scoop, not the edited version for your mother,” Naomi sat down in one of the chairs. She slipped her feet out of her sandals and put them on Rev’s bed. “Okay, I’m comfortable now. Start at the beginning. Best start with how you know the women who dragged you with them.”

  “Seriously? You want me to go back to Adam and Eve?”

  The door opened and two women in white coats entered the room. The younger one said, “Mr. Forrester, I’m Dr. Petit. I want to go over the discharge instructions with you, and Suzette has made a copy for you of your lab work and test results. In a few minutes, you are free to leave.”

  “No shots or medicine?” Revan asked and accepted the envelope from the nurse.

  “No, but we want you to follow
up with your own physician as soon as you get home. Because you’ve been under strenuous conditions for the past days, we recommend you are not alone for the next twenty-four hours. Dizziness, nausea, or general weakness can still occur. Do you have someone who can assist you?”

  “My fiancée is here and just said she won’t even let me take a shower by myself. She’s afraid I can’t stand up long enough.” Revan grinned and patted the bed. “Nugget, come sit with me. Don’t be shy.”

  “Nothing will stand up in the shower if I’m there,” Naomi muttered.

  Thirty minutes later they walked together through the glass doors into the bright afternoon sunshine.

  “Man, this feels really good.” Revan took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and turned his face up to the sun.

  “You can let go of my hand now,” Naomi said. “The charade is over.”

  “We can’t risk it. I might get dizzy. You heard the good doctor,” he replied.

  “You heard me, too. Let go of my hand.”

  “Okay, okay,” he dropped her hand and put his arm around her shoulders.

  “You’re intolerable. Why do I even talk to you?”

  “You’re like a moth to my flame,” he said and kissed her on the head.

  “Moth to your flame? Did you hit your head a few too many times in those tunnels?” She patted his head.

  Stella followed their exchange intently. Under different circumstances, Naomi would revel in being held by Revan, but at this moment, it was looking like she couldn’t take much more. The stress of the past few days was ebbing, and now they needed to take time to work through everything they experienced.

  Together, they walked to the nearest taxi stand and told the driver their destination.

  “I can’t believe your hotel is so close to ours,” Stella said when they arrived.

  “Isn’t life just full of surprises,” Revan said. “Why don’t we all go to my room for a minute, but then I need some time alone. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to see you all, but give me an hour or two. And I guess my parents would appreciate a phone call, too.”

  Once in his room, they didn’t bother sitting down.

  “Do you need to be at the press conference at six?” David asked. Revan had mentioned one during their taxi ride.

  “No, they invited me, but I have nothing to say. Let the big shots smile into the cameras and pretend they know what they’re talking about. I want a big steak and something decent to drink.”

  “Here’s a suggestion.” David looked from Stella to Naomi and then back at Revan. “Why don’t we all meet in three hours at the restaurant downstairs. I’ll make a reservation on our way out. We can catch up on a few things, and celebrate having you back, man.” He slapped Revan on his back.

  Stella asked, “Can we invite Julia and Alexander to dinner, too?”

  Revan said, “I don’t know who they are, but it’s fine with me. Okay, in three hours. Downstairs.”

  Turning to leave, Naomi stopped and asked, “Wait Rev, the doctor said you shouldn’t be alone. Do you want one of us to stay here?”

  “Nugget, what a kind offer. But no thanks. I love you like a sister, but I prefer to shower without being watched.”

  “I was going to volunteer the Troubadour.” She smiled widely at David, but he only laughed at her idea.

  Revan said, “I’m fine, and if I don’t feel great, I’ll call for help. See you all later.”

  “Like a sister! That man is insufferable. I don’t know why I try to be nice and offer my help,” Naomi fumed while she and Stella walked to their hotel. “Why do I worry so much about him?”

  “Oh, Nam, cut him some slack for now. But maybe it’s time for you to let him know what he really means to you. He’s known both of us for most of our lives, and it’s possible he just needs a little push to see what’s right in front of his eyes.”

  “He needs a push, all right. But you heard him! He’ll never see me as more than a sister,” Naomi said and rolled her shoulders. “Ugh, I’ll show him.”

  After a moment, Naomi said, “And what are you going to do about David?”

  “What do you mean? You heard us earlier. I’m going to London in September, and he’s coming back to the States in November.”

  “I heard it loud and clear. But aren’t you worried you’ll end up where you were last year?”

  Stella thought about Naomi’s question. Would they eventually end up back on the same slippery slope where they crashed before?

  CHAPTER 35

  Stella—July 2018

  A

  s soon as they entered the restaurant at six o’clock, Stella spotted David and Revan at a table in a small alcove. Palm trees swayed outside the windows, and as she had admired in so many other restaurants, several bistro sets and yard furniture were spread throughout the outdoor area.

  Stella went to David, who got to his feet and opened his arms. “I missed you.”

  “No more than I missed you, love.”

  Naomi said, “Rev, I want you to meet Julia. And Alexander, her…”

  “Her boyfriend,” Alexander shook Revan’s hand and laughed. “You’ve caused quite the ruckus, and I’m glad to finally meet you in person.”

  “I don’t mind a little adventure here or there, but usually I go in better prepared,” Revan said. He pulled out a chair for Naomi, “Sit with me, Nugget.”

  Naomi ran a hand over the side of his face and chin, “Look at you, you shaved. And without needing a tourniquet. Wow.”

  Revan snagged her hand and held it. Then he said, “Listen, guys, I know you want to hear about the past few days, and I don’t mind giving you a brief summary, but can we leave the topic alone then? I’d really like to talk about something else tonight.” He looked from Stella to Naomi. “Starting with what you two lovely ladies are doing in France. You still haven’t told me.”

  “Okay, Shutterbug, start talking!” Naomi said and pretended set a stopwatch. “You’ve got five minutes. Ready, set…”

  “What will it take to get you to stop calling me that name,” Revan grumbled.

  “Clock’s ticking, Shutt…” Naomi started, but a quick kiss silenced her. Julia and Alexander snickered, Stella and David laughed.

  “Stop kissing me. Talk about an annoying habit.” Naomi wiped her mouth with a napkin, then said, “Maybe I’ll call you Caveman instead. Kind of fits.”

  Revan looked at everyone else with a lopsided grin and winked at Naomi. “I can see this will take time. No problem.”

  He beckoned a waitress over, they ordered beverages and appetizers, and asked to be given a little time before ordering their entrées.

  Just after the waitress left, a couple approached their table. “Sorry to interrupt, but we didn’t want to walk by without saying hi.”

  “Andrew! Sarah! What are you doing here?” Stella called out.

  “This restaurant was recommended to us. How are you all doing? We heard the news about your friend. Have you seen him?” Andrew asked.

  Stella pointed to Revan and said, “He’s sitting right there! Revan, these are Sarah and Andrew. We met them and Julia on our tour.”

  Revan asked, “Why don’t you join us? Then you guys can catch up. Pull up the table over there.”

  “Are you sure we’re not interrupting?” Sarah said. “Hi, Julia! How are you?”

  “Doing great, thanks,” Julia said with a smile. She reached for Alexander’s hand. “This is Alexander.”

  “Her boyfriend,” he explained proudly. When Julia nudged him, he said, “What? I’ve waited over twenty years to be able to say it.”

  “I know, sorry.” Julia kissed him.

  When Sarah saw David, she said, “You look a little bit familiar…”

  “David Danvers. It’s nice to meet you.” He stood and shook Sarah’s hand.

  “Oh no, that’s impossible. Andrew, say something!” Sarah gushed and elbowed Andrew.

  “Hi, David.
You must be tired of this fan reaction.” Andrew held out his hand.

  David shook it and said, “Yeah, it happens occasionally. But it’s part of the deal.”

  With introductions out of the way, Andrew and Sarah sat down, and once the drinks and appetizers arrived, Revan said, “You joined us just in time to hear the abbreviated version of ‘Revan in the Underworld.’”

  He drank some water, then continued, “You already know I was invited to take photos in the catacombs...”

  “Rev, did we tell you we met the man who saw you Monday morning?” Naomi interrupted.

  “Interesting coincidence. You’ll have to tell me more about him later. Well, I’m sure you all heard how we ran into Macho-Man. We spent the first two days being shuffled around a bit. Our lovely host quickly became erratic, and I told Claudine and Marianne that I’d watch him for habits and routines. I wanted to get a reading of the guy. It was clear he didn’t feel threatened by the women, but he didn’t like me being there.

  “When Marianne started to get sick, the asshole didn’t believe her. My first goal then became to get them out of there. I figured I wouldn’t have an actual fighting chance until it was just me and Macho-Man.”

  “Were you and the women able to communicate with each other?” Andrew asked.

  “Not a lot. We never knew if he could hear us.” Revan reached for his wine and took a healthy sip.

  “You must’ve been frantically praying for the SWAT team to show up,” Alexander said.

  “Yeah, I wondered why nobody came, especially after he let the women go. But I assumed there must be a good reason, so I didn’t worry too much. I’m not saying I enjoyed the situation, but I knew I needed to wait for my turn.”

  He helped himself to some crostini topped with brie and strawberries and took a bite. “Much better than eating stale energy bars for three days,” he declared and rested his forearms on the table.