Hi! So I think some of you might like this chapter and some might disagree with the decisions I made. If you dondon't understand the reasons wait because some other future chapters will explain Emily's decision. I hope you don't stop reading, please review!
I run through the halls of the hospital with Carl in my arms. Even though I'm doing my best I can't reach Aiden's room fast enough. It feels like way more corridors than usual and I'm starting to freak out. After Harriet told me he's awake, I immediately answered that I was in my way and hung up. Then I grabbed my purse and Carl, and came here. I see his room, finally. I run inside and stop when I realize that I scared everyone.
"Take him" I order Nolan as I move Carl towards him.
He does without a word, just how I like it. As I walk over to Aiden I realize that his eyes are moving and I let out the air I didn't know I was holding. But then something strange happens, his body stays still, he doesn't even try to reach me.
"Aiden?" I whisper. He does nothing. "Aiden? Aiden, Can you hear me?"
"He can, but um he can't move" Harriet answers "He is in some sort of paralysis, he can only move his eyes."
"Can he talk?" I ask worried.
"No" Nolan answers this time "I'm sorry Ems."
I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. I can't answer it's like I'm the one paralyzed here. So I won't hear his adorable British accent? I won't be touched by his wonderful hands? For how long? Why is this happening?
I turn to look at him again and his gorgeous eyes are looking right back at me, but differently. I can feel it, his eyes are weird, he's got the same deep blue, but he-he's scared and confused. I've stared at those eyes too many times in my life, I can recognize any feeling.
"The doctor told us that it could take hours, days, or even weeks till he comes out of that state." Harriet tells me. "He, he uhm also said that" she clears her throat "they aren't certain if this is only a temporary thing." She looks away trying to hide her tears.
I slowly walk towards her and wrap my arms around her. It's so weird how this family has lead me to be affectionate but I can't help it when she looks so fragile, I just want her to be okay.
"It's okay, it's okay" I whisper. "He's gonna get through this, he always does."
"I'm sorry, I'm such a mess" she pulls away and starts cleaning her tears.
"Hey, hey" I gently grab her shoulders . "It's okay to cry, it's actually good. You can let it all out but that doesn't mean you're not strong, okay?"
"Mhm" she answers weakly.
"No, it's okay Nolan. I tell him as we walk back to Aiden's room. We were out dropping Harriet off at the beach house and Carl off at his house.
"I can stay if you want me to." He replies as we stop walking at Aiden's door.
"Nolan you've stayed almost every night. Go home, you deserve it." I smile at him.
"Alright alright, I'll leave but first let me say goodbye to-" he's cut off by a sound, like a sobbing, coming from Aiden's room.
I look at Nolan, who has a worried expression all over his face, and then back at the room. I slowly walk towards the door, the sound becomes louder. If Harriet's home, who else could it be?
I open the door in a flash to find a completely black figure with a black mask. Great. "Who the hell are you?"
The person runs to the window dropping some metallic thing on the floor in the way. I run to grab it as he or she struggles opening the window. It's a ring, it's Aiden's ring. Who the hell is this person?
I look back to find my mystery guy gone. What?! Did that person seriously just jumped off the window? We're in the second floor for God's sake! I run out of then room with a confused Nolan asking me "What's going on?!"
"I can't explain now, gotta run!" I shout as I make my way to the stairs.
I'm outside of the building in less than a minute, but my guy's gone.
"Damn it!" I shout at the air.
Who the fuck is able to jump out of the window and not break a thing?! This person definitely has skills but no one better than me. I'm gonna find this person, I have to.
"Who. The Hell. Was. That?" I hear Nolan say between breaths.
"I don't know!" I shout at him. "That, that person had Aiden's ring! Nolan I know that ring wasn't here before so who ever that was has had the ring all along!"
"I know Ems, calm down." He says. "We're going to find him, don't worry."
"This has to be the man that drug dealer was talking about. Nolan, what if he's been here before and we never noticed? Aiden's not safe here!" I point at the building.
"Ems, wait a second and think about it. If this man saved him, why would he wanna harm him now?" Nolan's got a point.
"I don't know?" I answer softly. "I'm just trying to look out for him, okay? I'm staying here from now on."
"Ems come on, that's kind of too much, don't you think?" Nolan says.
"No, I don't think so" I answer an push past him. How can he say that? If Aiden needs me I'm going to be here for him, no matter what.
I hear Nolan call after me but I don't stop. I'm confused but determined, and I'm going to hunt that person down.
It's been two days since Aiden woke up. From 48 hours, he has slept almost 38 hours. He's eyes are always either tired, confused, scared or in pain. My poor baby, he must be so confused about everything, his leg must be hurting a lot because it's still not completely recovered. I just wanna hear his voice calling for me and hands touching me. Oh my god when is this stupid paralysis going to end. His face has started to move a little more so that's good. The doctors still take him for exams two to three times a day. His leg is also improving but the doctors said they don't think he'll be walking right away after he snaps out of this paralysis, if he ever does.
"Hey!" Nolan says as he enters the room. "How's 007 doing?"
"He's doing better, his facial muscles are coming back." I answer and take a deep breath.
"That's good news." He answers cheerfully. "So I forced Harriet to eat something from the cafeteria, she's now in the chapel."
"Good thing she's at least eating." I try to be positive.
"Uhm, how about you follow her footsteps and go eat something too?" Nolan suggests. "Or maybe we could go and redecorate your new house, how awesome does that sound?"
"How about you follow her footsteps for me, huh?" I snap. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine." He brushes it off. "Jack called, he said things at work are crazy busy but he'll try to-"
A cough cuts him off, it's Aiden. I stand up and grab his hand, it's the first sound he has made in months. He clear his throat repeatedly and I start to get worried.
"Nolan, what's happening?" I ask concerned.
"I don't know." He answers clearly worried himself.
Aiden starts breathing faster and tries to move his mouth.
"He's trying to talk." Nolan says stating the obvious.
"It's okay, shh." I try to soothe him. "Just breathe Aiden, I'm here."
His breathing calms down a bit but he keeps on clearing his throat. Then he opens his mouth slightly. Oh my god he actually opened his mouth, now his entire face is paralysis free. He's trying to make up words but all that comes out are tiny hisses.
"Should we call the nurse?" Nolan asks.
"No, just let him." I say. "He can do this, I know he can."
Nola obeys while Aiden keeps on hissing. My poor baby, I think. But I can't stop him, he's so close, he's so close to speaking again. Then it happens, he actually does it.
"C, c-" he clears his throat once again.
I grab his hand tighter as a tear slips down my cheek and a happy little laugh comes out of me. I'm so happy, right now, right here.
"Co, coll-" he coughs. "Collen!"
"What?" I ask almost unbearably.
"Collen, you," He says as he gives me one of his melting smiles. "you're back."
"What? Is he talking to me?" I turn to look at Nolan, who just shrugs his shoulders. "What the hell?"
"Colleen you came back." He laughs. "I thought I lost you."
He's definitely talking to me, he's starting directly at me. "Oh my god." I say as cover my mouth with my hand.
I grow weak in the knees as I realize what's happening. He thinks I'm his sister. Is he just confused? Did he forget about me? Did he forget Amanda?
Nolan decides to step in "Aiden, are you okay?"
"I'm sorry." Aiden clears his throat. "Who are you?"
"Uhm, Nolan?" He replies and waits for an answer. Aiden just keeps on looking at him strangely. "Your friend Nolan Ross? Your Hamptons buddy?"
Aiden just shakes his head as he brings his hand to his throat and starts massaging it.
"You seriously don't remember me?" Nolan asks hurt.
"No, sorry." He says, he's eyes showing how painful speaking is being for him right now.
Amnesia? Really God, anything else? Don't you think the paralysis is enough? He doesn't remember who I am, who Nolan is. I can't take it anymore, I have to leave this room as soon as possible. So I start walking away. I hear him calling for me, or Colleen, but I don't stop. Tears start streaming down my face as I go out the door. As soon as I'm out I don't know where to go, so I run towards the only private place I know here, the supplies closet.
I re-enter the room to find Harriet sitting beside Aiden, who looks like he's sleeping. I've come up with a decision that I might regret but it's decided and now it's time to let them know.
"Nolan, Harriet," I grab their attention. "May I have a word with you?"
"Yeah sure" Nolan answers.
"Has any of you talked with him while I was away?" I ask.
"No, he felt asleep before I got here." Harriet replies. "Why darling?"
"This is going to sound strange but I want to ask you both that I can count on you." They keep staring at me unsure of what's to come. "I was thinking, uhm, and I came to a decision that you may not agree with but I wanna do it."
"Okay..." He says this time.
Just tell them, I think. "Um, I want Aiden to believe I'm his sister. I don't want him to remember me as Emily."
"Are you saying you're gonna let him think you're Colleen?" Nolan asks. "Why would you do that?"
"Well, as I said before I don't expect you to understand but the least I can do for you is explain." I take a deep breath and continue. "I, I have done some pretty bad things as Emily, and I love Aiden, and I don't want him to know that person. I wanna be better, better for him."
"But, Emily, you can't be his sister if you love him romantically." Harriet says.
"I know that. I'm going to give up a romantic relationship with him to get another chance at being the best I can be for him. Please," I look at each of them. "I know I'm asking you to lie, but please."
"Honey, are you sure?" Harriet grabs my hand. "You've done so much for me but I need to know. Are you sure you want this? Are you sure you want to give up your love for him?"
"I'm never gonna stop loving him, Harriet. But I am sure, I'm willing to do this."
"Ems, this is crazy!" Nolan speaks up. "How are you even considering this?"
"Nolan, please, I'm asking you to agree with me." I turn to him. "Please."
"No! Harriet how can you agree?" He starts backing away. "Aiden loves Emily!"
"He doesn't remember Emily!" I answer.
"No, no, no" he starts walking away. "I can't, I can't."
And with that he leaves the room. Oh god, I hate fighting with Nolan.
"Emily you have to know that I'm doing this because I care for you and because you really want this, but I don't like lying, not to my son. I know how it feels to want another chance and I'm giving it to you, so don't screw it up." Harriet says.
"I know, I won't screw this up. I care for him too much to harm him. Thank you Harriet, thank you so much for understanding." I hug her.
This kind of things come naturally when it comes to her. I like hugging her, I like talking to her. It feels so safe, so mother and daughter-ish.
So okay I know this is a weird decision but just try to understand me. Please review!