by Imani King
It’s at this moment that something else in my poor, battered hospital room slams—the door. “Oh my God! Tachell!” a breathless and deep feminine voice shouts. “I got here as fast as I could. Are you okay?”
Her beautiful dark, concerned eyes are the same deep brown as her skin. Her two-toned hair is pulled back in a flawless bun, and gigantic golden hoop earrings sway back and forth on her neck. She rushes at me, only stopping when she’s collapsed on the floor by my side, grabbing me with her perfectly manicured hands.
A crash behind us breaks the tender moment.
She stands up and spins around. “Reggie? What the hell are you doing?”
Reggie grits his teeth, refusing to stop his assault. “Teaching the Billion dollar asshole here a lesson.”
There we go with another reference to billions. Is the angel…?
“Well, you better teach him a lesson some other time,” the woman reprimands, “because you’re mom’s gonna be here soon and if she sees Preston with a black eye she’s gonna put two and two together and beat your ass.”
With a reluctant growl, Reggie lets go. “Don’t think I’m forgetting this.”
“Like he could forget,” the woman interjects.
He frowns. “What’s that supposed to mean, Sondra?”
She turns back around in a huff. “It means you’re being an idiot. And meanwhile, poor Tachell here has to watch the two of you go at it while she’s defenseless. You should be ashamed of yourself.” She takes my hand again. “Why were you fighting, anyway?”
“Have you read the papers?” he asks.
“You talking about that Billionaire’s Reluctant, Pregnant Bride article? Yeah, I saw it.” Sondra shakes her head. “Complete trash. No way would Tachell ever marry Easterbutt.”
Easterbutt? What kind of stupid, childish nickname was that? How do you even come up with a name like that? What does it mean? And was she talking about Easterbrook? Or, I guess I should say, Preston…?
I look at him. He’s running his hand through his mussed hair. I realize he looks tired, and not from the fight. His cheekbones are hollow and his eyes are red. And, more than that, he seems lost.
I reach out for him, but he’s too far away from me to get a good grip on him. My fingertips just barely brush the clean, cool fabric of his shirt.
He glances at me, and my breath catches as I’m suddenly drowning in beautiful, brilliant blue.
He inches towards me and my fingers slide from his elbow to his hand. I close my eyes, stifling a moan, as he envelopes me once again in his calming warmth. Everything feel so right that I almost don’t notice the bickering going on in the background.
Almost, but not quite.
“You don’t understand. This is about honor,” Reggie declares.
“Yeah, and you should honor your sister’s decision to stick to her guns,” Sondra declares right back.
“You don’t get it. Preston owes her. He needs to take responsibility and give her the life she’s always deserved.”
“No, I don’t think you get it. Tachell requires more than a big wallet and good looks from her man. Isn’t that right, Tachell?”
I grip the angel’s hand tight. “Um…actually…no.”
Everyone turns to face me, concerned expressions on their faces.
“I mean, maybe I should explain.” I have no idea who any of you are. I don’t even know who I am. The only thing I’m sure of is this feeling in my heart that cries out for the angel beside me.
“Explain?” I notice Sondra’s voice has risen a few octaves. “What exactly do you need to explain?”
I glance up into the angel’s face—no, Preston’s face. He was flesh and blood, not some heavenly creature. And yet, despite that, the bond between us felt fated. Divine. “This man is the father of my child,” I say hesitantly, still unable to quite believe it. “When I was unconscious, it was his voice that gave me hope, and his hands that gave me warmth. I don’t know what could have happened between us, but it must have been horrible. Otherwise, how could I possibly reject his proposal of marriage?” I squeeze his hand. “But I want you to know that I saw how concerned you were for my welfare, and for the welfare of our child. And, more than that, I saw your love. Right now, it is the only thing I can make sense of in this world. And so I must I forgive you for whatever you did, and hope that you can forgive me, too.”
Silence.
Preston’s eyes are glassy and wide. His lips tremble as they part. In fact, his entire body is shaking, and I know it’s because he wants to touch me—hold me—love me.
Then, everything starts to happen in hyperspeed.
“Oh my God!” Sondra wails. “Someone get a doctor!”
Reggie’s already stumbling to the door, shouting for help.
What? Why are they freaking out? All I did was explain how much Preston meant to me…
Sondra grabs my hand away from Preston’s and starts crying into it. “It’s gonna be okay, sweetie. Whatever it is, it’s gonna be okay.” But it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be okay—it sounds like she just witnessed something horrific that cannot be unseen.
Then, a smiling woman in a white suit enters. “Oh good! Tachell is up!”
Sondra turns and stage whispers over her shoulder, “But something’s not right!
The doctor frowns. “Oh?”
“She’s acting weird,” Reggie whimpers.
I glare at my brother. And like you’re not? You’re the last one who should be commenting on something that.
“Just fix her!” Sondra cries.
As the doctor takes my pulse, and my friend and brother fuss over every little thing, I glance up at the door.
There’s a woman standing there. Her golden hair is swept back into an immaculate bun. She wears a peach colored tailored suit. A thick gold necklace hugs her neck, and chunky rectangular gold earrings hang from her ears.
She catches me looking at her, but does not move away. Not immediately, anyway. Instead, her ruby red lips thin and her icy blue eyes narrow into lethal slits.
I shiver, unable to help myself. Her calculating, threatening gaze truly terrifies me. But when I open my eyes to look back at the door, she’s gone.
Chapter 6
After a thorough examination, the doctor announces I have amnesia.
“Okay,” Sondra whispers. “I can work with that.”
Reggie gives me a short nod. “We’re gonna make this right,” he tells me.
Make it right? Why don’t I believe him? Hey wait a minute, weren’t those the exact words he used when he was trying to get Preston to marry me?
Preston says nothing. He simply leans against the far wall of the room, studying me with an unreadable expression.
What are you thinking?
“Tachell,” the doctor says my name like she’s repeated it a few times.
I blink, returning my attention to her. “Oh, sorry. I just…lost track of time for a second.”
Her eyes soften pityingly. “The good news is it doesn’t look like there’s any permanent damage.”
“Except for the fact she can’t remember anything,” Sondra adds.
The doctor nods. “Yes. Except for that.”
“That’s a pretty big thing,” Sondra continues. “When is she going to be okay again?”
The doctor now looks at her pityingly. “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you. We will watch her and run more tests, but it’s impossible to know when her memory will return.”
“But it will return, right?” Sondra prompts.
The doctor sighs in a way that doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Oh shit.
“Oh shit!” Sondra whimpers.
I glance back at Preston. His expression has darkened. Come closer, I think. Hold my hand again. The doctor’s voice drones on, interspersed with more of Sondra and Reggie’s well meant questions. I can’t make sense of any of it—I can’t focus on anything but him.
I don’t understand my single-minded obsession w
ith this man. How can my body already ache for him? My world before a few hours ago is nothing but darkness. And yet…I feel like I know him. Like I’ve known him for years.
It makes no sense. I don’t remember a single thing about him. And yet…
I shut my eyes and feel his hand again, gripping mine, comforting and warm. His voice.
I love you.
I almost see something. A beam of light. A world of aqua and deep green shadows. The warmth of his breath, of his touch. The softness of lips, even more tender than his sweet voice. And the words I’d waited what seems like a lifetime to hear.
I’ve always loved you.
But it’s nothing but a ripple on the surface of the dark pool of consciousness. Just when I think I have something to hold onto, it disappears again, receding back into the tide.
I blink.
He’s still looking at me.
What are you hiding? I want to ask. I feel so much. I know you mean something to me. So how could I have refused you?
The door flies open yet again and two people burst through. The large man that resembles an older Reggie, and the woman commands the attention and respect of the entire room just with her presence.
I can tell she’s older from the silver strands of hair dusting her temples, and the wizened look in her eyes, but her poreless skin is smooth and the color of milk chocolate. She holds herself with class and a strength that hints at years of hard work and sacrifice.
“Tachell,” she whispers, eyes filling with tears that don’t quite spill over to run down her cheeks. “Baby.”
Suddenly, I’m embraced by a love that knows no boundaries. I grip her shoulders as she holds me close.
“Mama,” I whisper.
I may not remember her, but it doesn’t matter. I know who this person is.
This is the woman who brought me into this world. This is the woman who will always stand by me. Who loves me unconditionally. Who will still love me even if I never again find the person I once was.
“Baby,” she whispers, kissing my forehead. “It will be alright.”
And, for the first time since I woke up, I truly believe it will be.
Chapter 7
Time becomes a blur of tests, questions, and bright lights shining in my eyes.
Reggie hangs around my hospital room like he’s cursed to haunt this place for all eternity.
Sondra brings me old magazines, scissors, and tape. Apparently I’m an artist, and collage always puts me in a good mood. I don’t know about the artist thing, but she’s definitely right about the collage bit. Once I get started, I lose myself for hours.
My mom and dad are always at my side. We play Gin, Poker, and Rummy 500. After a few hands, it’s not long before I’m beating them.
“You were always a natural,” my dad says with a wink.
“I think you’re letting me win,” I tell him.
He looks shocked. “Ho! I’d never do such a thing!”
My mom narrows her eyes at him. “Well, I can tell you one thing Tachell. I’m sure not letting you win. Be nice to your mama and help me out next hand, okay?”
I grin and decide I will. It turns out that letting her win is far harder than actually winning.
Sondra stops by again to drop off some romance novels featuring heroines “suffering” from amnesia.
“Ugh,” I groan. “I don’t think I can read this.”
“Why not?” she asks, offended.
I hand her the book. “Look at this cover!”
She peers down, scowling. “What’s wrong with it?”
“What’s wrong is that it looks like the hero slipped something in her drink so he could cop a feel!”
Her scowl deepens. “Oh. Well, that’s probably because he’s the hero’s evil twin brother. And she has them mixed up because… Amnesia? I don’t remember, it’s been a while since I read it. I think he kidnaps her and takes her on a Caribbean cruise. They do it on the beach and fall in love.”
I snatch the book back from her. “Wait, I thought he was the evil one. She can’t fall in love with him.”
“Well, she falls in love with the good twin when he shows up!”
“And just ditches the evil twin like he was nothing? I guess that’s why he’s evil.”
“No, his father tried to kill him when he was a boy. That’s why he’s evil. The heroine’s rejection probably didn’t help, though.” She pats my leg. “Anyways, you should read this. It’ll be good research for you.”
“I’m not following you.”
“Tachell, you have amnesia.”
Suddenly, I wonder if it was really Sondra who got hit in the head. “Yeah. I have a medical condition, not a plot point.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know, girl. You knocked your head and woke up pregnant and with a billionaire fiance.”
I feel my cheeks burning. “Preston hasn’t even visited me since that first day.”
She cocks her head to the side. “And he didn’t leave your side while you were asleep.”
I start fussing with the bed sheet. “Well…I just don’t think I should read much into it.”
“Fine. But I think you can read something into the bouquets of lavender he sends every day.”
I glance at the most recent bouquet before I can stop myself. White roses and snowdrops are surrounded by lavender and seated in a crystal vase. Every time I shut my eyes, a clear and soothing scent fills my senses. My body knows it means something to me, my mind just hasn’t realized it yet.
“It doesn’t matter,” I tell her. “He’s not my fiance! I rejected him, remember?”
“Yeah, but if he asked you again, I bet you’d say yes.”
She had me there.
“I’m tellin’ you, you should read them,” she says as she heads for the door. “Because there is a lesson contained in all of those books that you’re gonna have to learn.”
“And what gold nugget of wisdom is that?”
She looks back at me, eyes pensive and weary. “That you have secrets, ones that only you know. And when you remember them, it will change everything.”
Finally, it was time to be discharged. I expected to walk down the hall, get in a car, and go home with Sondra (who, apparently, was my roommate in addition to being my best friend) and my mother (who had decided to stay and take care of me until I got back on my feet—my father, unfortunately, had to go back to work).
I did not expect a sea of cameras and news anchors plunging microphones in my face.
How did you meet Mr. Easterbrook?
Is it true you are childhood friends?
When he proposed, did you say yes or no?
Are you pregnant?
How do you know the baby is his?
My ears ring with chatter and I have to close my eyes to drown out all the flashing lights. All of this would have been unbearable if it hadn’t been for the personal army of bodyguards Preston had hired to escort me. The head bodyguard had told me Preston didn’t come because he didn’t want to attract more attention. I honestly don’t think I would have noticed.
I slide into the back of the limo. My mom and Sondra follow close behind.
Mom slams the door shut. “Well. That’s something I hope we don’t have to get used to.”
“So that isn’t normal?” I ask, relieved.
“No.” My mom puts her hand on my shoulder. “But it is probably normal for whoever is dating Preston.”
Oh.
I shut my eyes, leaning back into the seat and hold my belly. I had a feeling my unborn child was going to live a very interesting, flamboyant life regardless of what I did.
What had I gotten us into?
I watch mom wipe down the counter, buffing it until it shines. She’d already made me an amazing dinner. According to her it was my favorite, and I’d scarfed it down so fast I didn’t doubt it.
“Something wrong, Tachell?” she asks without turning around.
I know better than to lie to her. “How can you tel
l? I didn’t even say anything.”
She looks over her shoulder, smiling. “You can’t hide anything from me. I’m your mother.”
“So you know me pretty well, huh?”
“Well enough to know that you don’t hang around the kitchen after dinner is over unless you have something on your mind.”
I sigh, leaning forward. “Mom…did you ever worry about the future when you were pregnant.”
She chortles, dropping her cloth. “Are you pulling my leg?”
“I guess that is a stupid question. I’m just…a little worried.”
“That’s normal,” she tells me, resuming her wiping. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an heiress or a pauper, a woman focused on her career or a housewife. Nothing can prepare you for being pregnant and becoming a mother but the event itself.”
“That doesn’t actually make me feel better.”
She sets down her cloth and sits beside me, smiling. “Your father and I thought we were prepared, but pregnancy altered our lives pretty much from the beginning. First, it was getting used to morning sickness. The sudden smell of bacon, smoky grills and sometimes heavy scented cheeses, like Roquefort and Camembert had me running for the bathroom. But that was just the first few months. Then everything settles down. Oh, I just remembered. My hormones were flooding through me. I was weepy one moment and outraged the next. Your father said he got through it by pretending he was an amateur meteorologist. He got pretty good at predicting when my moods would erupt into a storm. Funny guy.”
I can’t help but laugh at my dad’s lame sense of humor. “I think you mean cheesy guy.”
“Hey, your father may be cheesy, but he was always there for me. Do you know that some men simply will not change a diaper? I was completely spoiled. Having you two really showed me what a gem I had in my husband.”
I glance down at the gleaming counter. I wonder what kind of father Preston will be. It’s hard for me to think of him changing a diaper. Come to think of it, I didn’t even know how much he’d want to be involved in his child’s life. What if he didn’t want anything to do with it?