Disclaimer: See Part 1
After gifts were opened and pictures were taken, Clara passed out among the new movie, toys, and clothes she received for Christmas, as Ellie predicted. After two years, she had come to know her daughter's habits all too well, so she picked up her sleeping child, carefully removed her shoes, and carried her upstairs to her youth bed. If Clara's napping pattern remained consistent, she would awake just in time for dinner, and with her asleep, the adults could now relax, enjoy some wine, and talk among themselves.
As Ellie came downstairs, she found Devon waiting her her, with two glasses of red wine in hand, and he gave her one. Sarah and Chuck were sitting on the couch together with glasses of their own, sharing a quiet conversation with one another, probably discussing a past Christmas to help Sarah remember.
"Ellie, you wanna sit down while I finish preparing the kitchen for dinner?" Devon asked. "I'll get Chuck to help me."
She looked up at her husband, grateful to be married to him. Even before they officially became husband and wife, Devon was always so good to her; he did a lot for her and was always keeping her happiness in mind. And when Clara was born he was a wonderful father, and during his paternity leave Ellie could see just how much he loved their baby girl. Now here he was working hard in the kitchen to prepare a nice meal for everybody.
"That would be nice Devon, thank you." She couldn't help but kiss him before he turned to get Chuck's attention: "Hey bro, do you wanna help me in the kitchen?"
"Sure Devon. I'll be right there." Chuck turned to face Sarah and held up the bottle of wine everybody was sharing. "Uh, Sarah, I'm going to go help Devon out. But before I do, can I top you off?"
"Sure, Chuck. Thank you," Sarah replied as she held her glass out. Then he got up and disappeared into the kitchen. Shortly afterward, Ellie took his spot on the couch next to Sarah. There was a moment of awkward silence, but fortunately it didn't last long. Each exchanged a small smile and sipped their drinks, both wanting to start conversation but not knowing what to say. After all, where do two people begin when they once knew each other so well, and now don't?
"So..." Ellie began, not really knowing where to begin. "Are you enjoying yourself, Sarah?"
Sarah sipped her wine and smiled. "Yes I am, Ellie. Thank you."
"Sarah, I wanted to tell you, that Chuck and I don't usually keep secrets from each other, and as you are family, I'd like it to be the same way with us. Chuck told us that you still have large gaps in your memory, so if there's anything you're uncomfortable with, or you find it's difficult at times to be around Devon, Clara and I when you and Chuck come to visit, you can always confide in us. We'll understand."
"I appreciate your understanding, Ellie. I really do. And don't worry; I'm not uncomfortable around any of you at all. It's just that, I really wish that I could remember more. Chuck has been telling me stories of our past, and it's helped to some degree. I do have a few memories of you and Devon."
"Sarah, is it okay if I ask what you remember?"
Sarah gave a polite nod to ease the discomfort she sensed from Ellie asking that question. "Sure. Of course. Uhh, where do I begin? Well, I remember the first time Chuck mentioned Devon to me, I was confused when he referred to him as 'Captain Awesome' and he explained that it was his nickname. And the first time I met the two of you, you hosted a dinner and invited me over so Chuck could introduce me. Our relationship was a cover at the time. Above all, though, I remember your weddings."
Ellie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Weddings?"
"Yeah. You asked me to be a maid of honor. Originally you and Devon were going to marry in a church, but Chuck had Morgan stall it because there was a...centerpiece problem. And after Jeff set off the alarms in the church, the wedding was ruined, but Chuck made it up to you and Devon by giving you a beach wedding after the CIA paid him for his services."
"So that's how he managed to give me my dream wedding!" Ellie exclaimed with a smile. "Oh, now that I know you and Chuck were CIA at the time, I figure there wasn't a problem with the centerpieces. What really happened, Sarah?"
"It turned out the caterers were all members of a rogue agency called Fulcrum. They wanted to kill Chuck. There was a shootout that did damage the roses and centerpieces; then Casey and some of his comrades came to the rescue and came crashing in through the ceiling glass. So, yes, technically there was a centerpiece problem, but Chuck was trying to spare you the details for your sake." Sarah laughed. "I guess in retrospect it was a good thing Jeffster performed 'Mr. Roboto' so loud. I don't recall any of your guests complaining of hearing gunfire."
Now Ellie couldn't help but giggle herself. So that's what was playing in the place of the wedding march. Jeff and Lester. She wondered what had become of them since she last saw them. "All these years later, and now I know why the church wedding was canceled."
"Mm-hm. Now you know." Ellie made a toast to no secrets and the two clinked glasses, happy to share this light-hearted moment together. But like the initial awkwardness, it didn't last long; both knew it wouldn't, and Ellie sighed.
"Sarah, is that all you remember of Devon and I?"
"Pretty much. As Chuck tells me stories, things come back to me. But it's been a slow process, as you also know."
"How does it work? Do memories just come back to you with long periods in between recollections?"
"It's random, Ellie. At times, some of my little memories restore themselves within days of each other. Other times, I'll recall some things with weeks in between remembering. And a lot of the time, my memories are like puzzle pieces. Some things, like actions or objects, will trigger bits of my memory. It's been happening today, in fact."
Ellie cocked her head to the side in confusion. "How do you mean? Are you alright?"
"Yes, Ellie, I'm fine. It's just that, earlier today, after Chuck knelt down to pick up Clara, and after Devon gave you the bracelet, I've had little flashes of Chuck. I see him kneeling in front of me, and white walls, and I remember feeling happy. I'm pretty sure I'm remembering when Chuck proposed to me, but like I said, it's only bits and pieces. All day, I've been wanting only to remember more, of everything. I hate to admit it, but any first memories I have of Clara have not resurfaced, even after two years. Quinn took everything away." Sarah paused and bit her lip for a moment. "Ellie, you're a doctor. Do you think my memories will ever fully come back?"
Sarah sniffed and closed her eyes, as if to prevent tears from forming. Normally, Sarah Walker-Bartowski was not one to cry, but how can anyone not when they know their most precious memories were stolen? Memories, after all, are what make us who we are. Ellie responded with a gentle hand on Sarah's arm.
"Sarah, I honestly can't say. The chance of full recollection really depends on the person. But since you have gained some of yours back, I'm hopeful for you. It just may take a long time at the rate your memories are returning. But how long, I can't say. In the meantime, I think the best thing for you and Chuck is to continue re-building your relationship, and for him to continue telling you stories. And as for Clara, she is still young. So even if you don't remember her from before, today can be the start of a fresh set of memories with her."
Deep down, this was not the answer Sarah had hoped to hear, but it was the truth. A tear rolled down Sarah's cheek and she leaned in to hug Ellie, grateful for her sister-in-law's honesty. After all, this was not a situation that could be sugar-coated, now matter how much hope anyone harbored for Sarah's memory to return.
"Ellie?"
"Yeah?"
"You know how Chuck has been telling me stories?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Could you tell me one? Maybe one that Chuck wouldn't be able to tell me?"
Ellie smiled. "Of course."
