Christina-
I moved towards Ella's room and she was getting some clothes together. She stopped when she saw me.
"Mom, what's going on? Why did that man say the twins were his?", she asked.
"Honestly, I don't really know. Well more like, I don't remember", I said.
"He's not really their dad is he?", she asked.
"I don't know", I repeated.
"Isn't there a way to find out?", she asked.
"We are working on it. Where are they?", I asked.
"Thea is in the shower and Nathan is in his room getting his things ready for his shower", she said.
I nodded.
"Um, do you have school tomorrow?", I asked.
"Tomorrow is Friday so, yeah", Ella nodded.
"Right", I said, rubbing my forehead.
"You okay mom?", she asked worried.
I took a deep breath.
"Yeah just", I sighed.
"Overwhelmed", she finished.
I didn't know what to say.
"It's okay to feel like that. I mean, you wake up not remembering us and then to find out you're married to your high school sweetheart. Who by the way broke your heart and then on top of that have four kids. Oh and don't forget the idiot who wants to take my baby brother and sister. I would feel like that too", she said.
"Wow, you're really smart. You got that from Joe", I said, wiping the tears that had slipped.
"No", she shook her head.
I looked at her confused.
"I get that from you. You taught me so much and you give the best advice", she said.
"I'm so sorry I don't remember and I know I keep apologizing but I am", I said.
"Mom, it's okay, please stop apologizing", she said, hugging me.
I took a deep breath.
"Mommy, I'm done with my shower", Thea yelled from her room.
"I could get her if you want?", Ella asked.
"No, I need to do this", I said.
She nodded. I turned to go, but stopped.
"Which one's her room?", I asked.
Ella pointed to the door.
"Okay", I nodded.
Roman-
The kids were all showered and in bed. Chris was watching me put Carter to sleep and I was failing. He just didn't want to go to sleep.
"Um, could I try?", she asked.
I smiled and nodded, handing her Carter. She took him and he laid his head on her shoulder. She sang to him softly and his eye lids closed.
"Well damn, you did it", I whispered.
"My mom use to do this for me and Cora", she whispered.
"I know and I know that when you spent your nights at the hospital, she would sing to you", I whispered.
She smiled at me. She laid him down in his bed and we walked out.
"Can we talk?", she asked.
"Yes. Give me a second and I'll meet you downstairs", I said.
She nodded. I went to our room and grabbed a pair of basketball shorts and a photo album. I grabbed an extra blanket from the hall closet and my pillow. Getting downstairs, I set them on the couch.
"Oh, you're sleeping down here?", she asked confused.
"Well I just thought, since you don't remember, I should stay down here and let you have our room", I said.
"Is that a good idea? I mean, the doctor said to keep to routine", she said.
"Do you want me in our room?", I asked.
"Joe, I don't know", she sounded frustrated.
She sat down and laid her head on the table. I could hear her crying.
"I know this is hard babe", I said.
"No, you don't know. I can't remember anything. My kids, how could I forget my kids and what happens if I never remember them? What then?", she cried.
"Chris, this is hard on me too. The way you look at me, it's like you hate me all over again and all I want to do is hold you and kiss you, but I can't", I said.
She wiped her cheeks.
"Here baby girl", I said, handing her the photo album.
She looked at it.
"What's that?", she asked, while taking it.
"Photo album. Can I sit?", I asked.
She nodded and I sat beside her. She opened it and the first picture was of her and I kissing. She was in a white dress and a flower crown on her head. I had a long sleeve button shirt with a tie.
"That's the day we got married. You opted for a court house wedding, said you wanted to be Mrs. Anoa'i as soon as possible", I said.
"Is that Ella?", she asked, pointing to the little girl.
I nodded.
"That's our princess", I smiled.
She smiled and turned the page.
"This is Ella when she was a baby", I said.
"She looks so cute there", she smiled.
I nodded and looked at her.
"I'm gonna show you a new photo album every night when I'm home and if even after that you don't remember, it's okay Chris. We can make new memories, as long as you'll have me", I said.
She looked at me.
"After my family told me that we were married, I didn't believe it. I couldn't wrap my head around that fact. I hated you Joe, you hurt me and I always told myself that if I ever saw you again", I stopped her.
"I know, you told me", I said.
"Of course I did", she said.
I cupped her chin and turned her to face me.
"Here's another fact. You forgave me and you also told me that you came back for me. You were hoping that I moved on and that would have been enough for you to marry Jason, but you don't love him. You have always loved me, you belong to me", I said.
I wiped her tear with my thumb.
"And I belong to you", I said.
"I waited for you", she whispered.
I finally let my tears slip.
"I know, I was too stupid to find you", I whispered.
"I don't want to hate you, but I can't help it, I do. The last memory I have of you is walking away from me and I wish I could forget it and replace it with the memories I lost because that would be so much better for us", she said.
She looked away from me and down at the photo album.
"Can I keep this?", she asked.
"You don't have to ask Chris", I said.
"Right, I'm sorry", she said.
"Do me a favor and I know I shouldn't be asking for one, but can you stop apologizing. I know you're not doing it on purpose", I said, giving her a smile.
She closed the photo album and nodded.
"I know, it, I'm", she stopped herself and I raised a brow.
She giggled.
"I'll try not to say it again", she said.
"Okay", I nodded.
She stood.
"So you're really gonna stay down here?", she asked, holding the photo album close to her chest.
"I think for now, it's what's best. If you need anything, I'll be down here", I said.
She nodded.
"Goodnight Joe", she said.
"Goodnight my love", I said.
She turned to leave, but stopped and turned back to me. She bit her lip and then came over to me. She leaned down and gently pressed her lips to mine. She slowly pulled away and left quickly upstairs. I licked my lips and smiled.
Christina-
I looked around our bedroom, but nothing seemed familiar. I set the album down on the bed and walked around the room. Realizing I had no clue where my stuff was, I didn't want to go through everything. I went to the top of the stairs.
"Joe?", I called.
He showed up at the bottom of the stairs.
"My clothes?", I asked.
He chuckled.
"Right", he came upstairs and I followed him back to our room.
He tapped three drawers.
"These are yours and the one over by the corner is yours", he said.
"Okay", I nodded.
"Oh and in the closet we have underwear drawers in there. The first two are yours", he said.
I nodded.
"Oh and if you take a shower in the morning, wait about four minutes and then the hot water should start coming out. Towels are in the closet in the cabinet.", he said.
"Thanks", I said.
He nodded.
"If I'm not here when you get up, I took the kids to school. Carter is the only one who should be here. Usually he comes in and cuddles with you, but I can take him with me in the morning", he said.
"No, routine remember", I said.
"Okay", he nodded.
He walked towards the door.
"Goodnight", he said.
"Night", I replied.