Spencer walked into his apartment and looked around. It all seemed familiar. He knew he was struggling to remember things, but he was relieved that he hadn't lost all of his memory.
One of the biggest surprises was his mother! He was thrilled to learn that she was going through a clarity phase. He found that to be ironic considering his current situation. Penelope brought her by to visit yesterday for lunch. It felt so amazing to be able to have a genuine conversation with her. He just wished it could always stay that way.
J.J. carried his go-bag to his bedroom, while he stood awkwardly in the middle of the living room.
"You want something to eat?" J.J. asked as she walked out of the bedroom.
Spencer shook his head gently. "No, thank you. Why don't you go home? I'm sure Will and the kids are dying to see you," he said with a smile.
J.J. still couldn't figure out how to tell him what had happened between them. She didn't know why, but she felt afraid that he would reject her. Maybe think less of her. She also worried it would upset him and set back his recovery process. All signs seemed to point to her keeping that information to herself for now.
"Um, they went to visit Will's cousin in New Orleans for the week," she lied.
"Oh, ok."
"What can I do for you? Do you want to watch TV? Read? Play a game?" she offered.
"If it's alright, I'd really like to go lay down. My head hurts a little," he said placing his palm gently over the small bald spot on his head.
Thankfully with the abundance of fluffy, messy hair he had, it was hardly noticeable. J.J. nodded with a smile. She watched him wander off to the bedroom, aching for him. She wanted to follow him to bed, wrap her arms tightly around him and never let go.
She sat down on the couch and covered her face. Her life seemed to be unraveling around her. She pulled her cell phone out and dialed Will's number. She needed some comfort. She waited three rings before he answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, can I say hi to the boys?" she asked trying to hold back her emotions.
"Henry is actually over Grant's house and Michael is sleeping. He has a cold," Will said matter-of-factly.
"Oh, ok. Is there anything I can do for Michael? I can drop off some soup?" she offered.
"No, we have everything we need. Thank you though."
"Alright, well tell them I love them and miss them so much. Maybe have Henry give me a call when he comes home?"
"Ok."
She didn't even get a chance to say good-bye before he hung up. Not that she expected anything more. She curled up on Spencer's couch, knees to chest and she cried until she faded from exhaustion.
(xxxxx)
Spencer was surprised when he woke up to see J.J. sleeping on his couch. He knew she was worried about him, but she really didn't need to stay with him. He walked over and looked at her sleeping form. Her eyes were dark and swollen. She definitely needed the rest and he didn't want to wake her. He grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over her body.
He wandered off to see what food he had for dinner. It was already 7pm. After browsing, he opted to just order out. He opened a drawer to retrieve a menu when he heard stirring from the living room.
He walked out to see J.J. stretching. She turned to see him and smiled.
"Hey, how was your nap?" she asked.
"Nice. I didn't have to worry about nurses poking and prodding me every thirty minutes. Plus, my bed is comfier."
"I would imagine," she said trying to hide the fact that her body was stiff from sleeping in a chair for days and then his lumpy couch.
"I was going to order some Chinese, would you like to stay for dinner?"
"Oh, um, sure that sounds good," she replied. "I'm just going to go freshen up." She realized her mistake of assuming his place was her place. "I mean, if that's ok?"
"Yea, sure. No problem. There are extra towels in the closet. Help yourself to whatever you need," he said not noticing her misstep.
After climbing out of the shower, J.J. noticed one of Spencer's shirts draped over the laundry basket. She walked over and lifted it to her face. It smelled like him. She tried to hold back her tears, but she gasped into the pink shirt. She buried her face in it and sobbed.
She jumped when there was a knock at the door. She threw the shirt back into the hamper and wiped her palms across her face.
"Jayje? Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm good," she said trying to sound as cheerful as possible.
She could feel him hesitating on the other side of the door.
"Um, I just wanted to let you know the food is here," he said sounding conflicted.
"Ok, I'm just drying off. I'll be out in a few minutes."
She heard him walk off and sighed. She had to get this under control. He didn't need any more confusion or drama. She quickly dressed in one of the outfits from her go-bag before exiting the bathroom. She threw her hair up in a messy bun as she walked toward the kitchen where Spencer was taking the food out of the bag.
He glanced up at her with concern when she approached the table. She could see him studying her. He stopped unpacking the food and moved to her side of the table. She did a double take when she realized he was next to her.
She was about to ask him what was wrong when he opened his arms and pulled her into a hug. She hesitated before slowly wrapping her arms around him.
"I can't imagine how difficult the past week has been for you. I want you to know I am grateful that you were there with me. You are my best friend and I don't think I tell you enough how much I love you."
J.J. lost it. She knew what he was saying was supposed to be comforting, instead it was a knife to her heart. It was only a week ago his I love you was meant in a completely different way. To hear him say it in the context he was now, tore at her soul.
"J.J.?" Spencer said concerned.
He tried to lean back to look at her, but she held him tightly, crying into his chest. She could feel him stiffening as he tried to figure out what was happening. She took a few deep breaths before letting go.
His eyes studied her with worry. She gave him a small smile and placed her hand on his cheek.
"You're welcome. I'm just so relieved you are alive," she said, trying to play it off.
He loosened a little at these words, but she could see he wasn't fully convinced. She wiped her cheeks and plopped down as though nothing had happened.
"Alright, let's eat. I'm starving," she said as way of distraction.
Spencer slowly moved to his seat and sat down, watching her as he did so. She continued to act normal the remainder of the meal, that he let it go. But something was definitely going on with her. Had he scared her that much? He would definitely be keeping an eye on her.
(xxxxx)
Another week had passed and nothing with Spencer's memory changed. The team took turns visiting with him, trying to rejog his memory, but it didn't help. On a beautiful, sunny afternoon J.J. picked him up for a picnic in the park with the boys.
Henry ran through the door and dove straight into Spencer's outstretched arms. Michael lingered by her side, shyer than his brother.
"How was New Orleans?" Spencer asked Henry.
J.J.'s eyes widened a little, while Henry turned to her with a furrowed brow.
"Hey, we need to get moving, these sandwiches aren't going to stay fresh for long," J.J. said lifting the basket in her hands shaking it.
Spencer nodded as he stood up and grabbed a light jacket and his purple scarf. He nodded he was ready, and they all headed out the door.
(xxxxx)
"Uncle Spencer, watch this!" Henry called as he did a flip on the monkey bars.
"Wow, Henry! You could be in the circus!" Spencer said before clapping.
"Watts me!" Michael said before doing an adorable lopsided somersault.
"You too, Michael! Incredible," he cheered.
J.J. smiled as she watched her three favorite boys play together. At one point, she noticed the three of them in a huddle. Every once in a while, they would glance at her, Michael and Henry laughing.
She watched as they casually walked toward her and suddenly, they let out roars running faster toward her. She stood up with a fake scream and took off running slowly. When they caught her, she dropped dramatically to the ground and called for help.
Spencer appeared lifting Henry off the ground spinning. "I'll save you!" Spencer cried as he then reached for Michael and held the two giggling boys in his arms. "Run save yourself!"
J.J. stood up running to the playground to "hide" in her castle. She watched Spencer trying to run with Michael hooked on his ankle and Henry clinging to his back.
"I'm not going to make it! Remember me always," he said as he slowly dropped to his knees and pretended to be dying.
With that J.J. ran out of the castle toward the boys. "No, I won't let them eat you! I can save you! The only way to beat them is to tickle them!" She began running her fingers along Michael's belly, while Spencer grabbed Henry and began tickling him.
Henry pretended to die dramatically, with Michael imitating his brother and laying down next to him in the grass.
"You saved me, fair maiden!" Spencer said as he grabbed her hand.
"You have to kiss her now," Henry said from the grass, still feigning death.
J.J. blushed and Spencer turned to her with a bow, kissing her hand.
"No, Uncle Spencer, that's not how they do it," Henry giggled. "You have to give her a real kiss and then you are married and become Prince and Princess."
J.J. looked awkwardly to Spencer who seemed to be trying to think of a way out of it. She leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
"That will have to do. It's getting late and you little dragons need to get cleaned up before dinner and bed."
"Is Spencer staying with us tonight?" Henry asked as he got up.
J.J. looked at Spencer from her peripheral vision and saw the confusion on his face.
"Not tonight honey. Maybe he'd like to have a sleepover with you another time," she said as she gathered their belongings, trying to leave as quick as possible.
"Awe, man," Henry frowned.
"Come on. Help me carry some of this stuff," she said trying to distract them.
It worked and nothing else was said that was suspicious for the remainder of their time together. She dropped Spencer off at his apartment, wished him a goodnight without getting out of the car, and drove off as soon he entered his building. She hated lying to him, but she knew it was the right thing to do. She'd have to have a talk with Henry when they got home.
(xxxxx)
A/N: thank you for the amazing comments! You all inspire me so much! I've been trying to find time to sit down and write, but it's been very busy with work. I will try my hardest to update within days of posting so you don't have to wait too long! xoxo
