"Seeing you seemed to calm her down and there was automatic recognition, that's a very good sign." Dr. Jones said as he and John stood just out the exam room, where they left Evangeline to finish her assessment with a nurse.
"But there's something wrong with her. Her memories are off." John said still a bit stunned by Evangeline's words.
"How do you mean?"
"She and I aren't together. We use to be but that was nearly two years ago."
"Memory loss," Dr. Jones said as he nodded his head. "Not uncommon in patients who have suffered this kind of trauma."
"You're saying she's lost nearly two years of her life. Like it never even happened?"
"Yes that may be the case, but I have to do more testing to know for sure."
"Well is it permanent? Will she ever get her memories back?" John asked with concern.
"I can't say for sure. I'll know more once I've run more tests. Right now I need to speak with her family, let them know what has happened and get their consent for the testing. I think it would be beneficial to Ms. Williamson if you stayed with her…unless that would make you feel uncomfortable."
"I'm not gonna lie, it's gonna feel awkward, like I'm lying to her by not telling her the truth." John said honestly.
"That wouldn't be wise, there's no telling what the ramification of learning the truth could do to her, given her current state-of-mind. I want to at least wait until I've spoken with her family and they're here with her, giving her their full support before I will consider telling her anything."
"Ok, I'll do whatever I can to help Evangeline get better. Whatever you think is best."
"Just stay with her, long enough for me to talk with her family and then I'll be back. She awoke in a strange place and I'm sure that was terrifying for her, especially when they restrained her. Seeing you obviously calmed her you're normalcy to her. I do think that having you with her will keep her relaxed."
"Thank God," She exclaimed as the nurse pulled the thermometer from her mouth.
"I'm all done," The nurse stated and she threw Evangeline a smile.
"Hallelujah," Evangeline said with a wide smile, one the nurse returned.
"I'll be back in a little bit to check on you." The nurse said as she moved to leave, passing John who stood by the door.
"Fine you can come back but no more needles." Evangeline called after her, and the nurse only smiled more as she walked out, leaving John and Evangeline alone. "Hey you," Evangeline greeted.
"Hey, how are you feeling?"
"Like a voodoo doll." She answered with a chuckle.
"Sorry, dumb question." John said as he took a couple of steps closer to the bed. Her smile widened as she continued to stare at him.
"God, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. You look different, but you also look very good." John smiled at her not speaking, not sure of what to say. "Why are you standing all the way over there, come, sit with me." She coaxed as she slid over in the bed a bit and patted the empty space beside her. His moves were tentative, he felt like he was taking advantage of the situation but felt that to do otherwise may cause Evangeline unneeded distress. So he moved to the bed and climbed in beside her. She quickly situated herself into his arms, and he welcomingly embraced her. He closed his eyes and breathed in her scent, and his mind instantly became filled with memories from 'their' past. "What happened, how did I get here?" She asked as she stayed nestled in his arms, her face against his chest.
"I think I should let the doctor explain that, I'm not good with those big medical words." John replied trying the side step the question.
"No, I mean what happened that caused me to end up here. Was I in some kind of accident?" This time she leaned back a little to allow her eyes to stare up at his.
"Yeah, you and several other people were poisoned by some racist group," John began to explain.
"Oh my God, was anyone else hurt?" Evangeline asked in concerned.
"Not as badly as you were, but you're ok now and that's the most important thing."
"Why would a person want to harm another person just because of the color of their skin?"
"Because there's a lot of evil people in this world, but we caught them. I wanted to kill them for what they did to you." She smiled warmly at him as she reached up to stroke his cheek.
"You didn't I hope."
"No, Bo talked me out of it, he told me that you wouldn't want me doing that, not even for you."
"Bo was right, besides I'm ok now, like you said." She then pulled his face down to hers and gently captured his mouth in a sensual kiss, which was how Dr. Jones, Lisa, and Layla found them.
"What the hell are you doing?" Layla exclaimed as she shot daggers at John. John guiltily extracted himself from Evangeline's arms and from the bed. Evangeline watched John's actions with hurt eyes, which turned with angry eyes as she focused onto her little sister.
"I was kissing my boyfriend, what the hell is your problem Layla?"
"Sorry sis, but you're recovering from a serious accident and Johnny Mac here shouldn't be trying to make out with you." Layla said again glaring hard at John, who in turn avoided her eyes.
"I was the one who initiated the make out session, and since we're two consenting adults it's not an illegal."
"Sorry, I just don't want you straining yourself. We just got you back and I don't want to lose you again." Layla spoke now with a soft tone that was full of sincerity.
"We were just kissing Layla, not making babies. I'm fine and… I'm glad you're here." Evangeline said as she smiled at her baby sister, who smiled back at her. "Hi mom," She said finally greeting her mother who moved to the other side of the bed, opposite to where John still stood. She enveloped her daughter into a big hug.
"Oh Cookie, I'm so happy to see you." Lisa cried as she released Evangeline but remained close at her side. "Sweetheart, there's something that we have to tell you." Lisa continued in a nervous tone. Evangeline watched her mother's face for a second before moving her gaze to the other three faces in the room. All of their faces held the same look of pity.
"Ok, what's going on, you're starting to scare me?" Evangeline said as she reached out and grasped John's hand. John gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"It's about your accident baby," Lisa began as she grasped Evangeline's other hand. Evangeline sat quietly for the next few moments, listening as Lisa and then Dr. Jones told her about her accident and her current mental condition. John could see the confusion and then panic fill Evangeline's eyes as she listened, and he gave her hand another gentle squeeze.
