She approached the citadel carefully. She knew he was following her but did not yet want to acknowledge his presence. As she touched the building’s masonry, memories of a battle flooded her mind. She knew it was just yesterday but she couldn’t recall the details. She remembered he fought bravely but also knew they were on opposing sides. He won, which means she lost. This was no comforting thought.

As her hand stroked a brick, she knew things inside the building changed. It was full of ammunition for yesterday’s battle. It’s not anymore. She very much wanted to see what was inside now. She glanced back at him. He greeted her by lifting his fedora. She responded by tipping hers. They were dressed similarly. Both wore full length beige gabardine overcoats tied at the waist.

He caught up to her. He sensed her apprehension in entering the building.

“We might as well get it over with.” he said.

She followed him in warily, not that she needed protection. She knows how to fight and capable of fully defending herself as much as he. They’ve even sparred together for practice. Still entering a building used as an arsenal needed caution. She had an impulse to hold his hand for comfort but did not. She’s never done that before.

Both delighted at the scene before them. The citadel had turned into a toy museum of sorts. The place was divided in many sections each spotlighting a storybook. There was a Harry Potter section filled with costumes of robes and witches hats as well as wands, all-flavored jelly beans and so much more. Another section was filled with Lord of the Rings memorabilia, figurines of the Fellowship of the Ring, costumes, and of course, the Ring itself. There was a Dr. Seuss section, Sesame Street, 100-Acre Wood and so many more.

As if someone took the stage curtain away, suddenly there was a flood of people. They peered into displays, tried on costumes and took pictures with the characters. She looked at him and smiled.

“Might as well join them.”

He smiled back and waved for a photographer to take their pictures as well. The photographer gave them a ticket and said they can pick up the pictures at the concierge on their way out.

They wound their way to the garden, surrounded by stone pergolas. It was not quite spring yet so there were no flowers but the air smelled fresh as the buds were awaiting their rebirth.

A family came out with their puppies. Two small furballs yipping and yapping all over their children. Their frolicking antics caught her attention and she cooed, “Puppies!” as she clapped her hands under her chin.

He smiled at her and took her hands in his. “We can go get you some puppies if you want.”

Her eyes widened with delight. “You spoil me.”

“I’ll always spoil you.”

“Let’s go home.”

He nodded but realized neither had a clue where home was. It was as if someone erased their memories of things important. They knew they belonged together but other than that neither had any recollection.

He produced their picture ticket from his coat pocket. “Let’s at least get our pictures.”

They walked to the concierge holding each other’s hand. “I wonder if the concierge will know where we live?” He asked.

“We seem to have lost our key. Would you have a duplicate by any chance?” He asked the front desk.

“Here you go.” The staff handed him a key. He looked at it. It didn’t have a number.

“Where are we again?”

“Why the penthouse, of course!” The woman at the front desk smiled and shook her head as this was not the first time they’ve forgotten.

“Of course!”

They walked to the elevators and pressed the top floor. Nothing happened. He used the key in the slot next to the button. This started the elevator. The door opened to an opulent bedroom. A king-sized high back bed overwhelmed the room. A matching dresser and loveseat were on a sidewall opposite a floor-to-ceiling glass window, which opened to a veranda overlooking the garden.

He took off his overcoat and hung it on the standing coat rack next to the loveseat and sat down. She did the same and sat on his lap. She cupped his face on her hands. “You’re perfect.” She leaned down and kissed him. He returned her kiss fervently. They both knew they never kissed before. He tasted like dark mint chocolate and she bubble gum.

A little girl in pigtails and pink flannel unicorn pajamas picked up her dolls from her dollhouse. Her dolls were thrown together on the toy couch. She wondered how they happened to be in that position. It seemed like they were kissing but she was too young yet to know anything about that. She sat them down at her tea table already set for tea in their own individual chairs. Behind her was her castle-shaped bookshelf full of picture books from Peter Pan to Robin Hood and everything in between.