A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews the fic. Sorry it took so long but I had a huge writer's block. I could think of plenty of things for TWBTYH but not for this fic. Anyway that's over now :) Onto the chapter. Italics represent flashbacks.
Chapter 28: Faded Dreams
Mike woke up the next morning to a room flooded with soft streams of light coming through the window. He blinked trying to drown out the harsh rays asthey hit his tired blue eyes. He had forgotten to close the curtains the night before so now early morning light drifted into the room.
He looked at his surroundings momentarily disorientated with it all. He pulled himself up in the bed taking a deep breath. How could it be that he didn't remember anything? Nothing came to his mind of his supposed life on Wisteria Lane. It was like he was trapped inside a stranger's body waiting to escape from its confines.
Running a hand through his dishevelled mass of brown hair he sighed deeply. This was his home and even though he didn't remember he hoped something would creep out at him and his mind would be free from all the turmoil it was facing.
Turning his head softly he looked at the small clock on the bedside cabinet. It was only 8.45 am. He wondered if she was awake? What she was doing? He knew he had to get up and face the new day. The thought terrified him spending the day with Susan. Someone he didn't even know.
Swinging his legs over the side of the bed he ran a hand across his face and decided that he immediately needed a shave. Standing up painfully he stood in front of the full-length mirror in just his boxers. He flinched as he saw the scar on his abdomen. A deep slash marring his chest. He touched it gingerly with trembling fingers. He couldn't remember why it was there, the doctor and Susan had said something about him being stabbed. "Maybe I'll ask her later."
No matter how much he wanted to deny it there was a definite spark between them. It felt so right when he touched her skin last night. Shaking his head he cleared his mind of the thoughts. That's all it was a spark it wasn't love. It couldn't be.
He decided to go and have a long shower reaching into his bag he pulled out a fresh new set of clothing intent on finding the bathroom.
Susan was sat at the kitchen table flicking through the newspaper. Her mind not really on one specific article. She had spent the whole night in a restless sleep crying painfully over everything that had happened. As the hours passed all she could do was stare up at the ceiling wondering for the millionth time that night how their perfect life had been taken away.
She had wanted to be strong but in the early hours of the morning nothing mattered to her, all she wanted was for her husband to come and hold her in his arms and keep her safe.
"Hey!"
The soft voice bought Susan back to the present. She folded up the newspaper and looked up her heart aching at the sight before her eyes. Mike was standing there a towel wrapped around his neck, wearing a soft blue t-shirt and jeans. His hair was still wet from his shower and soft droplets dropped onto his neck every so often. She looked at his face apparently he had decided to shave. He looked beautiful just like he always did. She would normally greet him with a soft kiss but she couldn't not anymore.
"Did you…did you sleep well?" she asked standing up and walking towards the sink. She needed to get away from him before she completely lost herself in his eyes.
Mike pulled out the nearest chair and sat down watching as she busied herself pulling plates out of the dishwasher.
"Yeah thanks, it was great I must have been pretty exhausted," he spoke looking at her curiously. She looked drawn and tired. He surmised that Susan didn't have as much sleep as him.
"Susan..I..was…" he began only to be cut off hastily.
"What would you like for breakfast? I can make you some pancakes or whatever you prefer," she asked.
Mike was caught off guard by the question. "Umm pancakes sound great," he accepted gratefully.
He watched as she pulled out a large carton of eggs. Moving easily around the kitchen she set about preparing the meal.
Mike watched helplessly from his seat at the table growing more frustrated by the second. "I thought you said you were a bad cook."
Susan stopped what she was doing and faced him. "I can mange breakfast," she spoke offering him a dazzling smile.
Mike found himself smiling at the comment. "So do I usually cook?"
"We cook together, well I help you," she smiled as a memory crept to the forefront of her mind.
"Mike hurry up I'm hungry," she sighed watching as her boyfriend drained the pasta.
"Susan if you want it to taste good, you're going to have to wait," came the soft chuckle.
She sighed going to wrap her arms around his waist resting her head on his back. She watched as he skilfully prepared the meal. Smiling to herself she trailed her hands up the front of his t-shirt creating soft circles on the fabric.
"Mmm baby can you pass me the sauce?" he asked.
She moved away from him going to retrieve the item holding it in front of his face. Mike reached for it but she moved away.
"Susan?"
"Kiss first," she smiled looking at him playfully.
He grinned sheepishly rolling his eyes he gently pulled her into his arms. Placing a soft kiss against her warm inviting lips. Susan moaned appreciatively deepening the kiss as their lips tangled together in pleasure. Mike pulled away a few seconds later taking the sauce from her hands.
"Mike?"
"It'll just be 10 more minutes," he spoke turning back to face her. Susan took the opportunity and placed her hands flat against his chest. He watched confused as she ran her hands across his t-shirt before trailing her fingers along his smooth chest.
"Mmm baby what are you doing?" he rasped out as her nails grazed gently against his chest.
She smiled at him pulling his t-shirt up slightly and exposing a section of his chest to her hungry eyes. She bent down placing a soft butterfly kiss against it before darting her tongue and trailing it across his firm chest, her hands gently caressing his jean covered legs.
"I. ..err….thought…you..were…hungry," he moaned.
"I am but not for food anymore," she whispered looking up at him through lowered lashes.
Mike smiled pulling her up to meet his lips for a searing kiss. His hands moved towards her blouse and he unbuttoned it softly. He traced his lips across her face making his way towards her neck as he suckled on the soft skin.
Susan gasped in pleasure as his hands cupped her breasts gently teasing the soft skin.
"Mi…Mike….upstairs," she panted urgently.
Mike nodded his head and turned off the stove. He picked her up swiftly and carried her towards the bedroom.
Bringing herself back to the present Susan placed a plate of pancakes in front of Mike. He smiled at her gratefully picking up his fork and devouring the pancakes. Susan studied him carefully wondering if there was any hint of the man she loved so much. They sat silently both slightly uneasy with the situation they found themselves in.
"Thanks that was great," he smiled. He looked around the house studying it carefully, every corner, every little ornament, even the fridge magnets.
"You seem to like drawing?" he commented. "Are you a painter?"
"Yeah I illustrate children's books," she smiled picking up his empty plate and walking towards the sink.
"You're really good," he spoke complimenting her.
"Thanks you always did know the right things to say and make me happy."
"Did I make you happy?" he asked.
"You made me happier than I've ever been in my life," she whispered her hazel eyes flickering with sadness.
They both looked at each other and their eyes locked instantly. Mike took a small step forward closing the distance between them.
"I wish I could remember you. Remember our life together," he sighed wistfully his eyes never leaving hers. Susan looked up he was so close she could feel the heat radiating off his body.
"Me too, I wish you could too," she spoke her soft gaze meeting his confused one.
As much as it hurt Susan broke the gaze and turned away. Mike heard the door opening and looked at it hoping it was someone he could remember.
He watched as a pretty young girl came into the house, her soft wavy brown hair held up in a ponytail. It was the girl from the picture, Susan's daughter. Julie.
Julie watched as confusion fell over Mike's face. Her mom had told her how he couldn't remember anything. At first she was angry that Mike had been taken away from them but her mom had explained that they both had to try and maybe Mike, their Mike would come back to them.
"Hi Mike, I'm Julie," she smiled politely.
"Err yeah your mom told me about you last night," he spoke simply.
Julie wanted to scream out against the injustice of it all. She had no idea that seeing Mike like this would be so painful. She looked at her mom who was trying to hold herself together and stop herself from crying.
"I can't believe you let mom into the kitchen," she joked trying to lighten the mood.
Mike found himself smiling. "Is she really that bad?"
"Well no not since you taught her a few things," replied Julie.
Susan smiled at her daughter appreciatively silently thanking her for clearing the tense atmosphere.
"I'm sure she didn't need much help," he grinned looking at Susan.
"Tell that to everyone who ever ate her macaroni and cheese," giggled Julie.
Mike found himself at ease with the young girl and started laughing.
"Mom I need some money for school," smiled Julie turning to her.
"Sure sweetie just grab what you need from my purse." Julie went upstairs to get her bag leaving Susan and Mike alone again.
"She's a great kid," smiled Mike turning to Susan.
"Thanks she thinks you're pretty special too," she replied.
"Where are the twins? Our..bab….the twins," he trailed off. He couldn't even think of them as his own not when he couldn't remember anything about them.
"They're at Bree's house," she responded. Noticing his confused look she continued. "She's a friend of ours and one of the godmothers of the twins."
"When are you going to bring them home?" he asked intrigued at seeing them yet scared at the same time.
"In a short while," she answered.
A tense silence filled the room and Mike didn't know how to react. Was it always like this between them? He couldn't even think of a single thing to say. Instead he watched her carefully studying her every movement. The way she absentmindedly played with her hair and bit her lower lip in uncertainty.
Deciding to break the silence Susan decided to say something. "So what are you going to do today?"
Mike didn't know what to do. He felt uncomfortable staying here. It was his house yet all these people were strangers. Susan was a stranger to him.
"I..ummm..need to get out of here," he spoke wuickly.
"What?" Susan's face fell at the words. He was leaving her. She looked up at him.
"I just…I need to clear my head. I'm gonna go for a walk round the neighborhood," he whispered. Susan opened her mouth to speak but it was too late he was gone.
Mike hit his head with the back of his hand. Why couldn't he remember anything? Everything was so clouded questions raced through his mind, ones he desperately wanted answers to but who was he going to ask? He didn't know anyone here not one familiar face came to mind.
He glanced around the quiet neighborhood. Sure it was a nice place but why would he live here? 'You live here for your wife' cried out a part of his brain. If that were true than surely he would know something about their life together. He wouldn't want to get away from her each time she got within a few inches from him.
He found himself walking in the park. Not really knowing where else to go. He didn't even know if he had any friends here. He could always go back but he needed some time to clear his mind.
"Mike? Hey Mike."
He turned around at the sound of his voice seeing a blond-haired woman stood in front of him. From the looks of it she had been out jogging.
"Wow I heard about the stabbing. I'm glad to see you're feeling better," she smiled.
Mike continued to stare at her searching her face for some sort of clue. Edie was confused 'What the hell was he doing?'
"Mike are you okay there?" she asked concerned.
"I'm sorry I don't know you," he replied sombrely.
"Oh come on Mike, that's a really bad joke. Did Susan tell you to ignore me?" she asked a little angry.
"No…I don't even know who she is. I've lost my memory," he sighed confiding in the woman in front of him.
"That is a shocker," she spoke. "So you don't remember anything?"
Mike sadly nodded his head in disappointment. Edie smiled inwardly knowing that she could use this information to her advantage.
"Well allow me to introduce myself. I'm Edie Britt," she smiled brightly.
"Hi Edie and how do we know each other?"
"Oh we're really close friends," she lied.
"Really Susan didn't mention anything?" asked Mike confused.
" I'm not surprised she doesn't really like me and our friendship," she smiled shrugging her shoulders.
Mike looked at her puzzled. 'Could what she be saying true? What reason did she have to lie?'
"Edie I would really like to know a bit about my life here. Do you have time to talk?" Maybe she would help him remember something.
"I've got all the time in the world," she grinned. "After all we are friends."
Bree opened the door to her friend. Concern immediately crossed her face at the image of her solemn expression.
"Susan, honey come in you look tired," she spoke standing aside to let her pass. Susan followed Bree into the house silently.
"How are you?" asked the redhead.
"Honestly Bree I feel as if a part of me has been taken and broken into thousands of pieces and I'm….I'm…never going to get that part back," she confessed tearfully almost stumbling to the floor.
Bree quickly grabbed her arm leading her to the couch. "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"No I couldn't all night I was hoping Mike would come and…and…he..would…be…my…Mike again and ….he would…hold..me," she whispered painfully.
"Susan it will be okay," reassured Bree placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"How Bree? How will it be alright," she snapped angrily. "I'm losing..the man that I love…I'm losing him Bree," she cried freely now the tears slipping past her eyes.
Bree pulled her fragile friend into her arms. "Shhh Susan…you haven't lost him…he'll come back…Mike will come back."
"And if he doesn't…I..can't stand it….I'll die if one day…he…realizes…he's..had enough and leaves me," she stammered.
"Susan you can't think like that," demanded Bree. "You have to stay positive."
Susan pulled away from her friend's soothing embrace and wiped at her eyes. "I'm sorry I must look so stupid."
"No honey it's understandable," sympathized Bree.
"Thanks Bree I really don't know what I would do without you and the rest of the girls," she spoke her tone sincere.
"Susan we're always here for you."
"I know where are the twins?" she asked remembering why she had come to Bree's house in the first place.
"Hold on I'll go and get them they are upstairs with Rex," smiled Bree leaving her alone.
She returned a few minutes later holding Emma and Jacob both of whom instantly held out their hands towards their mother. Susan took them gratefully kissing both of them on their soft cheeks.
"Hi guys I missed you."
She turned to Bree. "Thanks for taking care of them."
"It was a pleasure. Are you going to be okay Susan?" she asked worried.
"Yeah thanks I'll call you later," she replied walking back home.
Susan had opened the door walking into the house with a gleeful Emma and Jacob looking into the lounge she was startled to see Mike sat on the couch deeply engrossed in a book.
"You're back," she spoke announcing her presence. Mike looked up placing the book down.
"Yeah…I..err..met a friend," he smiled looking at the little boy and girl cradled in her arms.
"A friend? You remembered something?" she asked her voice hopeful.
"No..ummm…she told me I saw her in the park and she said we were close friends. Although I am a little surprised you didn't mention it," he said looking at her face for a reaction.
Susan was baffled as to who he was talking about. It must have been Gabrielle or Lynette as Bree was with her the whole time.
"Edie told me," he started.
"Edie!" she spoke surprised. Mike had been with Edie. "I wouldn't call her a friend."
"She said you didn't like her," shrugged Mike. "They're beautiful," he spoke coming forward and looking at the twins.
Mike moved closer and the twins reached out to him playfully.
"Da…da…" cooed Jacob holding out his chubby little arms. Mike was in awe he had called him dad. His son knew who he was.
Susan walked over to the playpen placing them in it. Mike followed looking at the twins studying their features carefully. They were his children, a gorgeous boy and girl. He reached out gently touching their cheeks tears shining in his eyes.
"They look like us," he sighed sadly. "But I can't remember anything. I can't remember you giving birth to them or…or…carrying..them…inside…you..for…nine..months."
Susan felt her eyes welling up at the sound of his broken voice. "Do you want to hold them?"
Mike stood up quickly. "No…I'm gonna…go upstairs…I..need..to..be..alone," he whispered leaving the room.
Susan watched him go, a few tears slipping past her eyes. If she wasn't losing him then why did it hurt so much? Why couldn't he look at her? She sat next to her babies her only reminder of the Mike who loved her. The Mike who promised her forever and she couldn't help but cry.
Sullivan read the paper fury in his cold grey eyes. That scumbag Delfino had survived the attack. He had hoped by now he was six feet under rotting in the ground just like his brother was.
"DOESN'T ANYBODY REALLY DIE ANYMORE," he yelled to the empty room.
His piercing yell would have disturbed everyone but fortunately for Sullivan he was keeping himself cozy in an abandoned apartment block. No one would look for him here not even that stupid detective Copeland.
Delfino was probably back in the arms of his wife enjoying life. The life that his brother should be enjoying.
Reading further down the page his anger faded and a small smile crossed his face. "Well what do we have here?"
Apparently Delfino was suffering from amnesia. "That's too bad," he mocked. He chuckled fiendishly, Delfino having amnesia certainly made his life a lot easier. He could just walk up to him and pretend to be his long lost friend from high school.
His psychotic mind raced with several thoughts and ideas. He was going to concoct the most painful thing he could think of and make Delfino pay.
One Week Later
Each day that passed made it harder for Susan to be around Mike. They would make endless small talk, they would eat breakfast and dinner together but that's where it all ended. Mike would go out of his way to avoid her. He wouldn't even look in her direction instead he was spending more and more time with Edie.
Her heart had been broken even more a couple of days ago when Edie had come by the house. Susan was surprised but mostly angry to see her there looking smug. She knew Edie was up to no good but how could she tell Mike that. He wouldn't believe her anyway. She and Edie had gotten into a heated exchange of words when Mike walked down the stairs.
She felt an immense amount of pain pass through her as he smiled at Edie. The beautiful smile he only reserved especially for her. She yearned to see him smile at her, his eyes twinkling with mischief but the smile never came. Instead all she received was a short goodbye.
Feeling the familiar tears start to build up in her eyes. She blinked them back and continued on with her housework. It was the only thing stopping her from going upstairs and crying. She seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. She stood up carefully on the kitchen cabinet wiping the top of it with a cloth.
Mike walked into the house tiredly rubbing the back of his neck. He walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see Susan stood on the drawer quietly singing to herself. He listened to her for a while she had an extremely talented voice.
"What'cha doing?" he spoke with a smile.
Susan let out a small shriek and turned around to the sound of the voice. She saw him looking at her with amusement.
"Oh hey..err…I..was…just doing some cleaning," she replied nervously moving her feet.
All of a sudden she found herself losing her balance and stumbled over the edge. Mike was there instantly catching her before she fell to the ground. They both fell to the floor with Susan still in Mike's arms. Time stood still and they looked at each other. Susan searched his eyes. His face was so close she could feel his breath on her cheeks.
"Thanks, guess it wasn't a good idea to climb up in these," she laughed pointing to her fluffy white slippers.
Mike smiled softly. "No problem." He reached out gently placing a piece of her hair behind her ear. Susan shivered at the contact. It felt so right they hadn't been this close since before the attack.
"You have a great singing voice," he smiled looking into her eyes.
"You heard that?" she asked her cheeks reddening
"You don't have to be embarrassed," he whispered touching her cheek with the back of his hand lazily stroking it in soft circular motions.
"Yeah I do. I never sing in front of you, the only time I sing is when I'm in the shower unless you're in it with me.. I mean…." She trailed off unable to believe that she just said that. She quickly moved of his lap before she said anything else.
Mike looked at her standing up. "Julie told me..that…that we had a wedding video. I would like to see it."
Susan nodded her head. "Just give me five minutes and I'll be right there."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Susan asked as they settled down in the lounge.
Mike nodded his face full of determination.
Susan put the video in and sat back watching as the television was filled with happy cheerful voices and smiling faces.
It was a bright sunny day and the small group of people that filled the screen was all dressed up for a wedding. Mike edged to the front of his seat as his eyes widened in amazement.
"Our wedding day," he whispered. Susan sat back against the couch and kept her voice as expressionless as possible. Even though she was dying for him to remember, she knew it might not be as easy as that.
Mike watched as faces filled the screen. Faces he didn't recognize but he knew they were special to him, special to Susan.
"Stop it turn the camera to Susan," squealed a redhead. Susan had introduced him to their close friends the other day. He knew the woman the camera was focused on was Bree.
"Come on Bree smile," teased the person holding the camera.
"Not now Gabby," she smiled covering her face.
Mike's mouth dropped open as the camera spanned to Susan. She looked radiant as she floated across the room looking like something out of a fairytale. The elegant gown gently hugged every curve of her perfect body before pooling out around her feet. A true angel.
He turned to Susan who had her gaze fixed on the screen in front of her. He turned back to the screen.
"So how do you feel?" asked Lynette coming to hug her friend.
He watched as the Susan on screen replied. "I'm excited I can't wait I love Mike so much."
"Mom he loves you too," smiled Julie coming into the view of the camera.
He watched anxiously as he appeared on screen looking elegant in his black tux. He watched as he declared his feelings for the woman in front of him and promised to love her forever. He watched the tears building up in both their eyes before they shared their first kiss as husband and wife.
The camera was now in a large ballroom. He watched as the camera zoomed in on him and his wife. She was nestled safely in his embrace as he placed kisses along her smooth neck. He couldn't keep his eyes and hands of her.
He watched Susan as she tried to keep the tears from building up in her eyes.
"You looked beautiful," he whispered. Susan turned around shocked by his words. "So did you."
Mike watched the screen again as he led his wife towards the dance floor and they shared their first dance in front of friend's and family.
"Did I ever love you?"
There was no doubt about it that Mike was head over heels in love with this woman just the content smiling image of the two of them proved it and her face showed how much she loved him. He listened carefully to the music as they danced.
Susan's arms wrapped around him as he held her. The couple in the video were so engrossed in each other they didn't care about the people standing around them.
"I love you Susan you're my life," he could hear the on screen Mike whisper.
Mike stood up gently having had enough of the video. It was too painful to watch. "I've seen all I want."
"Are you okay?" she asked looking away from the screen.
"I'm fine I just don't want to watch anymore of the damn video," he responded a little too harshly.
He regretted it as soon as he saw the pain pass her delicate face. Her could see her lower lip trembling softly and walked out of the house needing to get away.
"I love you Mike," came the soft voice.
She turned back to the screen watching as Mike kissed her passionately. "I love you too. Forever Susan that's the way it's going to be."
Susan felt the first tear slip past her eyes and she let out a painful sob as her body was once again consumed by grief and painful sobs racked her body. The turmoil of losing her lover, her husband too much to bear.
TBC
A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter should hopefully be up by the end of this week :)
