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"It's me, Sam." Jackie was knelling by the bedside, holding his hand, stroking his hair. "Jackie, you're so beautiful." "Thank you, Sam. And you have always been handsome. I'm happy to have called you my husband." He was starting to wake up fully, comprehending what she had said. "What do you mean, 'called'?" "Sam, it's time for me to leave. The study is complete." "What are you talking about?" "The study, Sam. Remember thirty years ago? It's over. It's time to bring your wife back." "But you're my wife!" He realized she looked thirty years old again. "Yes, I have been and I've loved every minute of it. But it's only fair to her to let her come back. Don't worry, she will be the same as me; all the same memories, but just not with my special abilities. Listen, we want to leave you and your wife with something, a way of saying thanks for your cooperation through all the years. We've credited your bank account with five hundred million dollars so that you and Jackie can do whatever you want during your retirement. Don't worry; we've arranged it so that if anyone looks closely, you will have won the state lottery about half a year ago. Also, the best gift of all, perfect health." She put a patch on his upper arm. It slowly began to tingle; he could feel it spreading down his arm and across his chest. "We've given Jackie the same treatment. It's a permanent, full body health booster. You both will look about sixty years old on the outside, to avoid suspicion, but will have the bodies of twenty-five year olds on the inside." "I'm starting to feel dizzy." "It's okay, just a side effect of the booster. It will be done by morning." He said woozily, "Why do you have to leave, can't you stay with me?" "I'd love to dear, but I can't." He was starting to drift off, couldn't keep his eyes open. "Sam, I know I shouldn't feel this strongly, but I do. I love you, Sam. I always have. You and the girls." She was crying. Tears rolling down like she was human. "Don't ever forget me, Sam. I'll love you forever." She kissed him for almost half a minute, her tears running down his cheeks. "I love you too, Jackie. Forever." He was drifting off to sleep. He awoke the next morning, feeling better than he had in thirty years. Jackie was beside him, still asleep. He shook her awake. "Jackie, wake up. You're still here." She answered groggily, "Of course I'm still here, you goofball, haven't left." He came to a sudden realization; his wife was back. His Jackie was back. But he would so miss his beloved Jackie.
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