Striding alongside Dr. Barton, Chuck glanced back at Blair's door. He'd made his decision to help her, not to hurt her. He'd fix the situation at Bass Industries and hoped he wasn't kidding himself when he tried to believe she'd forgive him.

''Charles, slow down. You don't have to worry about Blair." Dr. Barton hurried, the sound of his footsteps ricocheting off the pale-blue walls.

Chuck's heart thudded in time, but he shortened his stride. ''You don't understand.''

''I do. She's not the women you knew, but she's charming, and she wants her life back. She'll benefit from returning to her old habits."

Barton had to be right, and yet… "Is she more likely to remember at home?"

"Seeing places and people she loved may stimulate her memory, but I can't promise you. Just take good care of her. If she seems down or upset, and you don't know what to do for her, persuade her to call me."

Chuck nodded. "As long as she tells me how she feels."

"You'll know, she isn't a complete stranger. The Blair you know is still inside her. Are you afraid you can't wait for her?''

What if he didn't know the real Blair? Maybe she'd never told him how she truly felt. How much had they hidden from each other? Chuck lifted his eyebrows. "I'll wait." What else could he do? Except patience had never been his strong suit. ''Blair's my wife."

Dr Barton's thin smile implied he shared Blair's opinion of that statement. What did they expect? He wanted the Blair he'd fallen in love with. Did that mean he wasn't a good man?

A good man's wife would have told him about their unborn twins. She would have trusted him enough to share the news that must have shocked her.

The day of the accident Blair had been angry enough, disappointed enough – maybe even hurt enough to believe he had no right to know about his own children. Why hadn't he realized then how far apart they'd grown?

"Chuck, I wonder if I should let you leave without talking to someone. You wouldn't be normal if you weren't unsettled about your future with Blair."

"We have to make a future. Can a stranger tell me how to do that?"

Big talk from the little man who'd been that last to know.

Chuck punched the elevator button. His lie about the business was no foundation for a new life. But he cared for his family, and he'd provide for his wife.

Bracing himself to start a future he only half trusted, Chuck shock the other man's hand. "I'm grateful for the care you have given Blair."

"My pleasure. I'll say goodbye here because I'm in the middle of rounds, but remember what I told you."

"I will. I'm sorry if I've been abrupt."

"You have a right." The doctor pulled his pen out of his pocket. "You know my phone number, Chuck?"

He frowned. "I can find it. Why?"

"If you need to talk, call me. Don't fume about your problems alone. You have a whole family depending on you as much as Blair does."

Barton's grasp of his weakness made him smile. "Good advice. I'll remember."

The elevator doors jutted open, and he stepped inside. He avoided looking at Dr. Barton as he pushed the button. The elevator jerked once before it began to descend.

The doctor might be right. Never, in all their years together, had she leaned on him easily. She'd always help parts of herself back as if she had to force herself to share. Now, with their past and her memories beyond her reach, even she needed him. If she leaned on him, he'd support her.

…...

A nurse pushed Blair through the doors in a wheelchair. His wife's stiff posture suggested she remained a woman who accepted assistance only under duress. As he followed Chuck resisted the urge to push the plump woman aside and take control.

The black SUV was waiting beneath the canopy at the hospital entrance. Chuck's long time driver, Arthur rounded the car. "Boy, she's pissed about the wheelchair," he whispered to Chuck.

Rain had turned the air into a humid sauna that began to curl Blair's hair. Searching the building around them, Blair let him take her arm as she rose.

The nurse nodded. "You'll find Dr Barton's instructions on the paperwork I gave you, Mrs Bass. Don't hesitate to call us if we can answer any questions."

"I think we'll be fine. Are you ready, Chuck?"

He opened the door and helped her inside. When he reached for the seatbelt, Blair dropped her hand on his.

"I remember how theses work," she said tightly.

Arthur twisted in his seat. "Morning Mrs. Bass"

"Good morning…."

"Arthur," he finished for her.

Chuck quickly joined them. He met Blair's nervous smile At least he knew the world they were starting over in. The hospital was the only place she knew.

He blouse trembled over her breasts. He r heart must be running like a fugitive train. "Have you eaten breakfast?" she asked.

"Are you hungry?" Grabbing a chance to do something tangible for her, Chuck turned the key in the ignition again. "We can go to your favourite restaurant."

"I'm starving," she said, as if that answered the question.

"Sounds like a yes to me." Chuck pushed some telepathic reassurance Blair's way.

Her gaze lingered on him, a soft touch he'd missed as he'd miss food and drink and air to breathe. He put all his positive energy into hoping the restaurant would spark a memory for Blair.