Here's the sequel! Let me know what you think (reviews are a great motivator to update!)
. . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1
"Everything looks great." Dr. Samir removes the blood pressure cuff from around Cassie's arm. "Your oxygen levels are back to normal, your blood pressure is great. We'll send you home with an Epi-pen."
Cassie rolls down the sleeve of her blouse, exhaling. "Thank you, Dr. Samir."
The doctor shrugs. "I don't think I'm the one to be thanking, but I'll take it on his behalf." She nods, Sam's name hanging in the air between them.
"I'll send Jesse in with some paperwork for you to sign, and then you're free to go." Cassie thanks him again, and he exits her room passing Abigail and Grace on the way out.
"Well?" Grace prompts.
"I'm free to go," she announces.
Grace smiles widely, crossing the room to give her a hug. "That's great, Mom!"
She nods, smiling too. "I'm ready to be home."
Abigail leans against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "And your memory?"
Grace shoots her Aunt a look to which she ignores.
"There's no change, but Dr. Samir is optimistic that it will come back...more time, he said." Abigail's head tilts in that way, and Cassie knows that's not the answer she was looking for. "... pretending that I remember is not fair to him, Abigail-"
"-shutting him out isn't fair to him either," Abigail quickly points out. "Can we not do this now?" Grace questions over the both of them.
There's a brief moment of silence before Abigail pushes away from the doorframe, turning on her heals. "I'll be waiting outside."
Grace sighs, rubbing her forehead. "I'm sorry, Mom...I asked her not to bring it up..."
She shakes her head. "It's alright, Grace." It's been almost a week since she woke in the hospital, and while it was difficult to accept what had happened to her, it was more difficult watching the hope in Sam's eyes fade a little more each day. Asking him to give her some space wasn't easy, but she wasn't sure what else to do.
Jesse knocks quickly on the open door before letting themselves in. "Heard you're finally breaking out. Just need you to sign a few things."
She accepts the clipboard with the paperwork, signing her name where it's been earmarked. "Make sure you stop by the Bell Book for those herbs."
Jesse smiles. "You got it."
...
To anyone walking by, the charts and files in front of him give the impression that Sam's engrossed in his work. Only he's not. Flipping pages and shuffling files allows him to check his watch every few minutes for the time, pinpointing exactly when Ahmad would be starting his rotation, when he'd look at her charts and ultimately make the decision to discharge her.
He glances at his watch again.
"Got somewhere to be?" Adam leans over the counter at the nurses station, taking in the files and charts strewn everywhere. "Or perhaps somewhere you're trying to avoid."
Sam runs his fingers through his hair, swivelling in his chair. "I'm trying to give her space." Adam nods. "And how's that going?"
"About as well as all this paperwork," he jokes, rubbing his face.
Adam drums the counter with his hands. "Let's get out of here for a few minutes. Come on." ...
Nick stares at the bouquet he had picked up from Abigail's. He had no idea how to pick out flowers, but these ones are bright and delicate and smell amazing.
And they reminded him of Cassie.
Exhaling, he shakes his head. "I'm not gonna go," he mutters, pacing the kitchen. "...but Grace invited you," he reasons with himself. He digs his phone out of his pocket, checking the time. He's almost certain his Dad isn't going to be home in time and the knot that's settled in his chest tightens a little bit.
He's spent more time at the hospital and his practice than he has in months, and Nick probably would have accepted that he had some catching up to do, if it all didn't feel different.
Grace had told him about her Mom's memory loss and it's left him with a confusing mix of emotions.
The doorbell rings, and he shoves his phone into his pocket going to answer it. Swinging the door open, Nick staggers a bit. "Mom?"
Linda smiles widely, engulfing her son into a hug. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you!"
Nick quickly returns her hug before pulling back. "What are you doing here?"
Linda frowns. "You're not happy to see me?"
He takes in the suitcases that flank her on their doorstep. "Of course I am," he adds quickly.
"Can you help me with these?" Linda hands him the bag wedged in the crook of her arm, wheeling the two suitcases into the house.
Nick steps out of the doorway to make room, closing the door behind her. "Does Dad know you're here?"
"I thought I'd surprise him." Leaving her suitcases in the living room, Linda heads for the kitchen. "Can I get something to drink, honey? I'm parched."
Nick follows, dumping her bag on the couch before going to the fridge. "Sure..." Linda spies the flowers and smiles. "Flowers! These are beautiful! Who are they for?"
He slides a bottle of water across the counter. "No one...are you on a lay over or something?" He deflects, gesturing to the suitcases in the living room.
Linda laughs, taking a sip of her water. "No silly, I've come to visit...stay awhile."
...
It's a quiet ride back to Grey house, and when Abigail parks in the drive, Cassie acquiesces. "Grace, would you mind taking in my bag for me?"
Her daughter glances up from her phone, looking between her aunt and mother. "Sure."
Grace slides out of the car, and Abigail remains in the front seat. It isn't until Grace has grabbed her bag out of the trunk, and steps inside of Grey House does Abigail turn to her. "You know I'm right."
Cassie sighs, nodding. "I know."
Reaching across the console, Abigail takes her hand in hers. "You still remember everything before the festival. That hasn't changed. He hasn't changed."
"I have, Abigail," she admits. "And it's complicated and confusing; Sam and I have started this relationship I don't remember-"
"-yet," Abigail intercedes.
"I know Sam doesn't expect anything from me, I just..." she searches for the right words. "I still feel this pressure to...get my memories back, and move forward and I can't do that...not as fast as everyone wants-"
Abigail shakes her head, turning in her seat to face her fully. "-no-one, myself included, is expecting for you to wake up tomorrow and remember everything...though that would be great."
Cassie gives her a look.
"What I mean is that all we want, Sam included, is to just be here for you, get back to a little bit of normalcy."
His absence has been a heavy weight inside of her the past few days. "Normalcy would be a good thing."
Unbuckling her belt, Abigail slides out of the car. "So it's decided then: after we eat your welcome home cake, you're going to go over and talk to him."
"Wait, cake?"
Abigail smirks, closing the door.
...
Sam grabs the rebound, clearing the key. Adam attempts to play defence, and while his stance is off and his arms flail helpless, Sam appreciates the fact that the psychologist has gotten to know him enough to have a basketball in his office.
It's come in handy.
Sam quickly dribbles the ball behind his back creating space to side step Adam to the rim. It's an easy lay-up, and he can't help but laugh at the bit of frustration on Adam's face.
"So...how are the nightmares?" Adam asks, holding the ball in his hand.
He waits to see if he's going to pass it to him, or make a play at the hoop himself. "Better," he admits. "You were right about the sleep thing."
Adam nods, dribbling the ball to the key. "Now, if I could only get you to see the benefits of cutting out caffeine..."
Sam posts up, anticipating Adam to go right, only he goes left, throwing him off. He's still in his dress shoes and doesn't attempt to recover, letting him get to the hoop for an easy lay-up. "I'm working on it."
There's a triumphant look on the young doctors face, and when he checks the ball, Sam doesn't bother going for the hoop, sinking a basket from the three point line. Adam stares at the hoop in disbelief. "I thought you said you were practicing," he jokes.
Adam laughs, shaking his head. "I'm working on it."
His phone rings from his jacket on the bench, and he trots over from the court to answer it. Nick's face flashes across his screen, and while logically he knows everything is probably fine, the panic still grips him.
He's still working on that too.
"He pal," he greets. "Everything ok?"
"Mom's here. With luggage."
...
Brandon takes the empty plates from her hand, giving her a stern look. "Let us clean up; you relax."
She see's so much of his father in him in that moment that her heart aches just a little. "Ok."
Tara has emerged from the kitchen with two tea mugs in hand, and she gestures for her mother- in-law to follow her in to the sitting room. As Cassie sits next to her on the couch, it's hard to reconcile the idea that the window had been broken on a few weeks ago.
It's difficult to reconcile any of it.
She welcomes the tea from her daughter-in-law, letting it warm her hands. "How are things at the Bell-Book?"
"All under control," Tara reassures. "The new inventory arrived yesterday, and Grace and Nick have been helping to stock the shelves and reorganize."
"Thank you so much, Tara. I don't know what I would have done without you."
Tara smiles. "That's what family's for, right?"
"Right," Cassie agrees.
Abigail breezes into the sitting room, two wrapped plates in her hand. "I think you should take these slices of cake over to Nick and Sam."
"Real subtle, Abigail," Tara admonishes. "I can take them over," she offers.
"Cassie wants to," Abigail clarifies, titling her head in that way. "Right, Cassie?"
Setting her mug on the coffee table, she rises to her feet taking the plates. "I do."
...
He tosses his brief case on the chair and his keys in the dish on the end table, his stride purposeful as he makes his way to the kitchen. The luggage sits in his living room, and as he turns the corner to the kitchen, Linda is sitting at the counter, a mug perched between her hands.
"There you are," she greets, taking a sip.
"What are you doing here?" He questions immediately.
Linda's gaze sparks. "I thought I should come for a visit-"
"-tell me the truth, Linda." He has to remind himself to keep his tone even, and he crosses his arms.
"Why are you being so hostile?" She accuses. "I didn't realize I needed a reason to come see my son."
He resists the urge to correct her.
"Look, if you don't want me to stay here, I can just go get a room at the B&B across the street."
There's just enough sarcasm in her voice that he takes it for what it is: a threat. "Nick, could you give your mother and I minute, please?"
Nick holds his gaze for a long moment, before pushing away from the counter heading upstairs. "You know damn well why I'm here," she seethes. "Your girlfriend has been plastered all overthe news; I'm here to protect my son-"
"-our son," he corrects.
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
The doorbell rings and he's rooted to his spot. Linda slides off the stool, heading to answer it. His heart is pounding in his chest and he can just barely hear over the blood rushing in his ears.
"You must be Cassie!"
He's moving, coming up behind Linda to intercept her. He side steps her in the doorway, and she gives him the side eye.
"I was wondering if you had any rooms available?"
Sam doesn't wait for Cassie to answer, pulling Linda back inside the house and closing the door on her. He's grateful that she relents, leaving them alone.
"...I do have a room available?" Cassie offers.
He shakes his head. "She's staying here...to be closer to Nick," he adds. He hasn't seen her in days and he finds himself raking his gaze over her. The wind plays with her hair and everything about her, the simple t-shirt and jeans right down to the flip-flops showing off her blue toes has his blood boiling.
He's missed the hell out of her.
Cassie nods. "...is everything ok? I can come back?"
He exhales audibly, trying to regulate his emotions. "She just..." "...pushes your buttons," she finishes for him.
That knowing look is in her eyes, understanding everything he doesn't say and it causes his chest to tighten. "Yeah."
"A small conciliation." She holds out the plates to him. "It's not yellow cake with chocolate frosting-"
"-it's perfect, thank you."
She smiles, and he accepts the plates from her.
"...If you ever want to come over for tea, my door is always open."
He chuckles, shaking his head. "So, my doctor...he's been encouraging me to cut out caffeine."
Her eyes widen, a small smile playing at her lips. "I'm sure I have a herbal tea that will do the trick."
She's teasing him and he laughs. The smile reaches her eyes and the abrupt longing that overcomes him nearly brings him to his knees. Silence settles between them and he can feel it. That electricity that sparks gently between them.
"Sam-"
"-it's ok, Cassie," he reassures her.
It's really not.
The nightmares. The panic attacks.
His hands.
He's working on it.
It's a beat before she moves to the steps, sitting. Setting the cake beside him, he sits next her.
"I only asked you for space because I was overwhelmed, and at the time, it felt like the right thing to do."
They're shoulder to shoulder and he watches her profile carefully. She's not wearing much makeup and and the late evening sun causes her skin to glow. "You had a lot to process, I understand completely."
She turns slightly to face him. "I don't remember what happened between us the past few weeks...but I do remember everything before and I remember how I felt then."
His heart skips a little. "And how was that?" He questions softly.
"I woke up thinking about you everyday...and if I'm honest...I thought about you everyday in the hospital."
He nods, clasping his hands together. He wants to brush the hair from her shoulder and let his hand coast up and down her back. He wants to settle at the nape of her neck and bring her lips to his.
"Do you remember the lake house?"
It's out of his mouth without a second thought and as her cheeks flush, it's all the answer he needs. "Then you remember this." Against his better judgement, he's leaning in, pressing his lips to hers gently. It's tentative, but there's a sureness in the way she kisses him back that gives him hope.
She may not remember saying the words but he knows it's there. She loves him and if he has to win her heart all over again, he will.
It takes everything in him to pull back, and her gaze slowly opens to his. "I need you to know something, Cassie."
She nods.
"I'm going to sweep you off your feet all over again."
Her gaze softens, moistens just a little. "You sound pretty confident," she says softly.
He hasn't been this confident about anything in his entire life. "I am," he admits.
Tbc