Jack Marshal gets up every morning and looks at two pictures on his mantle and one on his bedside and remembers a time so long ago.

Things were freer back then and he could go where he wanted and do what he wanted, as long as he took care of his work, but that often took him far away from home also.

He looks at the pictures and wonders why things came to be the way they did, and for a moment or two he can close his eyes and be back there once more.

The sun would shine on his face and he would feel the warmth of it as he reached over and took her in his arms. But that was then, and this is now. As he looks at the pictures on his mantle he feels the pain of loss and the hurt from then.

Now he waits in the early morning light and gives thanks for the third picture that he sees when he gets up. She brings him his coffee and snuggles close to him at night, and even when she's not there, she is always there.

The pictures on the mantle remind him of then. She reminds him of how lucky he is now.