India woke to the sound of beeping machines, blinking a few times before she realised she was lying in her own hospital bed. She glanced to her side and saw Hana sat in one of the plush blue visitors' chairs, looking nervously at her. Her heart sank as she came to the realisation that the dream she had been so caught up in was just that - a dream. It was so vivid in her mind; the warm sun shining on her skin as she walked down the aisle, her friends' laughter as they danced with one another, and Drake's soft skin against hers in the dead of night. She would do absolutely anything for that dream to become reality.

"Are you okay?" Hana asked. India sat in a trance-like state, a single tear rolling down her cheek. It was clear that India was anything but okay, but all Hana could do was be there for her best friend.

"I dreamt that Drake and I got married." India sighed defeatedly.

"Oh, India..." Hana leant forward and gently took India's hand in hers.

"Does he really not remember me?"

"He doesn't remember anything that happened over the past year. He didn't even know about Bartie until Savannah showed up with him."

"Oh my God." India put her head into her hands as she spoke, "I'm being so selfish, aren't I? This is happening to all of us and all I can do is feel sorry for myself."

"You're not being selfish, India. This is a horrible situation, and you have every right to be upset about it."

"I don't know how much more of this I can take, Hana. All I've done over the past week is cry and wallow in self-pity, and that's not the kind of person I am. I don't want to be that person."

"You're the strongest, most resilient person I've ever met." Hana said with an encouraging smile, "This just shows how much you care about Drake, and your relationship isn't over - it's just being tested."

"I think Drake not having any clue who I am means that it's probably over." India sighed.

"Don't think like that, India! You and Drake are meant to be together, no matter what." Hana smiled reassuringly as she spoke. "And besides, I hope you don't think I've forgotten that it's your birthday tomorrow. We're going to make sure we celebrate in style."

Despite herself, India couldn't help but smile. She had all but forgotten about her birthday; turning twenty-five was the absolute last thing on her mind, but if anyone would have the time and energy to celebrate a birthday amidst all of the chaos, it would be Hana.

"Thank you, Hana." India said, leaning over to give her best friend a hug. She wondered how Hana could possibly manage to stay so positive when everyone around her was so miserable, but either way she was just grateful to have such a supportive best friend. "Now, I really need to get myself out of this hospital bed."

Hana stayed with India while a young doctor checked her over, despite her protests that she was fine, before giving her the all-clear to leave the hospital. As they made their way toward the exit they passed Drake's room, and India peered through the small square window in the door and saw Drake, bouncing Bartie happily in his arms. He was still bandaged and bruised, but his cheeks were full of colour and his face full of life, and that was all India cared about. She smiled at the sight of Drake cradling his newphew, and felt peaceful for the smallest of moments. The girls carried on through the maze of doors and hallways that was the Cordonian Royal Infirmary, before hopping into a waiting black Mercedes that escorted them through the picturesque countryside and to the palace.

"I think you should get some rest." Hana said, placing a reassuring hand on India's shoulder as they reached the top of the palace's grand staircase.

"Thanks for being here for me, Hana. I really appreciate it." India smiled.

The two exchanged a long, sincere hug before India walked down the hall and to her bedroom door. The intricate gold handle was cold in her hand as she turned it, and she immediately felt someone's presence in her room as the door swung open.

"Happy Birthday!" Maxwell chimed as soon as India stepped through the doorway. The younger Beaumont brother stood in the middle of the room, holding several multicoloured balloons and an elegant bouquet of flowers. India rushed over and wrapped him up in a hug before taking a step back and glancing down at her wristwatch.

"Three minutes past midnight, that's impressive." She looked up at him with a grateful smile, "Thank you, Maxwell."

"Congratulations on officially turning twenty-five." He said as he handed India the flowers. "Liam was waiting up with me, but he drank some of the champagne we bought for you and then fell asleep."

India laughed at the thought of a tipsy King Liam, bouncing excitedly off the walls before passing out on the ivory carpet.

"I just wanted to say happy birthday, and I hope you can still enjoy it after everything that's happened this week." Maxwell said.

India carefully placed the flowers on top of her antique dresser and moved the balloons to the corner of the room.

"Thank you so much, it really means a lot." She smiled. "How are you doing? I know I'm not the only one who's had a rough time this week."

"It's been difficult for all of us. But don't worry about me, I can handle it." Maxwell said with a child-like grin.

"Maxwell, are you drunk?" India laughed in disbelief.

"It's possible that Liam wasn't drinking the champagne alone." Maxwell giggled conspiratorially, "Besides, Beaumonts don't get drunk, India. They just get jolly."

"Okay, let's get the jolly Beaumont back to his quarters." She wrapped an arm around Maxwell and began to walk in sync with him toward the door.

"But it's barely midnight!" He protested as India opened her bedroom door once again.

"Oh, Maxwell. You party animal." She smirked. Maxwell stepped outside of the room and turned on the spot to face India.

"Thank you for the gifts." She said as she leant, arms folded, against the door frame.

"No, thank you."

"For what?" India raised an eyebrow at Maxwell.

He looked longingly into her eyes for a brief moment, before slowly leaning forward as his eyes fluttered closed. Their lips were just about to touch when India took an instinctive step back and pushed her door closed.

"What was that, Maxwell?" She said to him through the door, her heart racing.

"I'm sorry, India. I just... I just like you so much. It's been a really rough week..."

"I know, but that doesn't mean you can come on to me like that! I'm still Drake's girlfriend, or at least I think I am."

"Even though he doesn't remember you?"

India yanked the door open and glared furiously at Maxwell.

"I think you should go back to your room now."

"I didn't mean to say it like that." Maxwell protested, his cheeks turning red with embarrassment. He opened his mouth to speak once again, but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming down the hall.

"Happy Birthday, India!" King Liam said breathlessly as soon as he was within earshot. His smile faltered as he approached his friends and felt the awkward tension between them.

"Thanks, Liam." India said with a forced smile, "Do you think you could help Maxwell back to his room? He's had one too many drinks tonight."

"Is everything alright between you two?" Liam asked, glancing at Maxwell from the corner of his eye.

"It's fine. I think we'd better let India get some rest, though." Maxwell linked arms with Liam and began to walk abruptly down the hall away from India's room.

"I'll see you tomorrow India!" Liam shouted over his shoulder just as India closed her bedroom door. The two men walked arm in arm down the hallway toward their rooms.

"So what am I missing here?" Liam asked after a brief silence.

"It's nothing, I just did something stupid."

"Did you kiss India?"

Maxwell shook his head no. "She pulled away."

Liam glanced over at Maxwell with a disappointed frown.

"You shouldn't have done that, Maxwell." Liam stopped himself from saying anything further. He thought of all the times he had longed to kiss India, all of the times they had been alone together and he had refused to act on his feelings. In the back of his mind he had always known that India and Drake should be together, and he couldn't let himself get in the way of their love.

"I'm sorry, Liam." Maxwell said defeatedly. "Everything is so messed up right now, I just had a moment of weakness."

"It's okay. We have to support each other through times like these, besides, you know Drake would probably sucker punch you if he knew that you made a move on India." Liam smirked.

"The old Drake would have." Maxwell looked at Liam with a tired expression. "Drake loves India so much, he literally got shot in the chest for her. Who is he if he doesn't remember her?"

"He's still Drake, he's just... lost. The doctor said there's a chance that he could get his memory back, and we have to be there to support him no matter what happens."

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Maxwell said as they stopped outside his room. "I really am sorry, Liam. I know you have feelings for India too."

Liam placed a reassuring hand on Maxwell's shoulder. He knew he couldn't bring himself to be mad at his friend even if he tried.

"Consider it forgotten. Now go and sleep off that champagne."

Maxwell smiled gratefully at Liam and retreated inside his room, gently pushing the door closed after him and leaving Liam alone with his thoughts. The King walked to the window on the opposite side of the corridor and looked out over the seemingly never-ending palace grounds. After a few moments he let out a heavy sigh that he felt as though he'd been holding in forever; he felt as though the world had been swallowed up by a black hole, and he wondered if he or any of his friends would be able to regain their happiness. He thought of his country, and how everyone was looking to him for guidance, especially now. He wondered if he was fit to be a King after all. So many questions raced through his mind, none of which he could answer.

"What a mess." Liam whispered to himself, taking one last moment to take in the sight of the grand palace from the window, before reluctantly making his way back to his quarters.

Hours later, India stood in front of her bedroom mirror, staring intently at her reflection before turning to frown at Hana.

"How do I know what to wear if you won't even tell me where we're going?" India said.

"I'm under strict instructions to keep it a secret." Hana smiled mischievously, prompting India to grab a small, pink cushion from her bed and throw it playfully at her friend.

"You're loving this way too much." India smirked at Hana.

"Never mind what I think, you need to hurry up and pick an outfit or you're going to be late!"

India turned back to the mirror and smoothed down the skirt of the salmon pink dress that she had picked from her wardrobe, before frowning and running to the other side of the room to change yet again. She pulled open the doors to her wardrobe and began flipping intently through the racks of expensive designer clothes.

"A-ha!" India exclaimed as she pulled a stunning white sundress from the rack. Ducking behind a screen she quickly changed out of her salmon dress and into the lacy white number.

"That's perfect." Hana smiled as India stepped out from behind the screen. "Now come on, let's go see your birthday surprise!"

The two girls sat in the back of a luxury town car as it sped through the rolling hills and scenery of the Cordonian countryside. India nervously clutched the small brown bag that sat on her lap, while staring out the window and wondering where they might be going. As they made their way further and further away from the palace, India suddenly realised that she knew exactly where they were headed. The route that they were taking was all too familiar, and as the town car made the right turn that led them toward the Cordonian Royal Infirmary her suspicions were confirmed.

"Hana, why are we at the hospital?" India asked as the car rolled to a stop outside the main entrance. She could feel her heart beginning to beat faster, knowing that there was only one reason why they would be going to the hospital on her birthday. Hana smiled at India and, without a word, stepped out of the car and walked toward the main doors. India sighed nervously and ran after her friend.

"We're here to see Drake, aren't we?" India said as she caught up to Hana.

"You're here to see Drake." Hana corrected her.
They walked in silence through a maze of halls until they reached a door that led into one of the many break rooms in the hospital. India recognised it immediately; she had eaten most of her meals there during the days that she spent waiting for Drake to wake up after the attack.

"Alright, I'll see you in a little while." Hana said, pulling India in for a quick hug.

"I don't like this new sneaky Hana."

"We all love you, India." Hana smiled, "Now get in there and enjoy your birthday surprise."

Hana began to walk back the way that they had come, leaving India alone outside the break room. She took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping inside the room.

Drake smiled as she entered. He was sat in a wheelchair that held an IV stand on its back, delivering fluids and medicines to him through several tubes inserted into his body. The room was colourfully decorated with a few banners, balloons and bouquets of flowers, and in the middle of the room was a small table that held a vase of flowers, champagne and two plates of food.

"Happy birthday." Drake said as India walked slowly to the center of the room.

"Did you do all of this for me?" India said with an enormous grin.

"Well, I couldn't really put up many of the decorations myself," Drake smirked, "but I know you probably wanted an opportunity to talk about everything that's happened, might as well celebrate your birthday while we're at it."

"Thank you, Drake."

"You're welcome." He smiled.

India moved to sit in the empty seat opposite Drake, feeling instantly at ease in his presence. It was a strange feeling, being so comfortable in his company - as if nothing bad had ever happened - but knowing in the back of her mind that she was just an accquaintance to him. The only things he knew about her were the things he had been told by other people; that she was his girlfriend and that he loved her more than anything in the world, but India knew that he didn't feel those things anymore. Maybe they were still there in the back of his mind, but they were lost, maybe forever.

"I just wanted to say how sorry I am about everything." Drake said as an awkward silence loomed between them.

"You jumped in front of a bullet for me, Drake. You can't help what happened afterwards, but I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you."

"I'm glad I did it. I know that there's been a lot of heartache since, but I'm just glad that no one died in the attack."

India nodded as she took a sip from a champagne glass that sat on the table. She couldn't decide what would be worse; living with Drake having no memory of her, or dying during the attack. Sometimes it felt like she had gotten the worse deal.

"I've heard so much about you since I woke up." Drake said. "Everyone talks about you like you're some kind of Goddess."

"I just have really great friends, but I guess I don't need to tell you that." India laughed. "I know how much Liam and Maxwell care about you."

Drake nodded with a familiar smile.

"It was nice to have them there, when everything else was so confusing." He said, his brow furrowed.

"I can't imagine what you've been through." India said with a sympathetic frown.

"I think it's been tough on all of us." Drake said.

He looked up at India, seemingly studying her face for a few moments. She swore if he just looked a little bit longer, or a little bit harder, he would suddenly remember her.

"I've been having dreams about you." Drake said as he took a sip of water.

"Really? You have?" India said, suddenly sitting up straight, her attention caught by Drake's words.

"Yeah. When I'm dreaming I feel like I know you, and then when I wake up it's like seeing the face of someone I know, but can't quite remember. Last night I dreamt that we were in Bertrand Beaumont's study together, and we were looking for something. I can't remember what it was, but I'm pretty sure we found it. And then we..." Drake rubbed the back of his neck, bashfully looking away from India, "and then we made out, and Maxwell caught us."

India nearly spat out her drink as she listened to Drake's story.

"Drake, that happened!" She exclaimed.

"What?"

"We did go to Bertrand's study together, and we found an envelope full of cash on his desk. You were dreaming a memory!" India stood up and paced back and forth, unable to contain her excitement at the possibility of Drake remembering their past.