Jenny started brushing again. “It’s okay, I won’t dig. I’ll wait until you’re ready to tell me. I just want to see you happy, honey.”
“I know. I will be.” Kate lifted her hand and put it on her mother’s wrist, stilling the hairbrush again. “I’m so glad you’re here, Mom.”
“Me too, sweetie. Me too.”
Epilogue
Three days after Gary was admitted he was released. He traveled with Rob to Rome where they proceeded with Carlos’ criminal charges and built a case against The Organization.
There was no change in Jake. The test results failed to show any sign of trauma and his vitals had come back to normal. His finger that had been severed was stitched up and unsalvageable but apart from that, it was just a case of him waking up.
The bullet wound in his chest was left alone after the surgeon decided that whoever had operated on Jake had indeed known what they were doing and had probably saved his life.
Kate visited Jake twice a day. Her mom accompanied her, the nurse letting her stay with Jake for an hour each time.
Kate talked to him, telling him of her recovery and that every day she was getting stronger and was eating regular food and using the bathroom.
His lids never fluttered and his hands remained motionless.
Kate didn’t care. She loved her daily visits. It helped pass the boring time in the hospital and just being near Jake brought her happiness.
“The doctors think I’ll be able to go home in a few days. I’m so excited! I can’t wait to get back to Vernazza and into routine again. I’m so behind in my work but I’m sure Cindy will understand. Mom’s going to stay on for a little while to help. It’s so great having her here, Jake. I wish they could stay forever.”
Kate knew she was rambling but it also felt cathartic, like writing in a diary or journal.
“Anyway, enough about me. You need to get better, Jake. I know you’re in there and can hear me even if you can’t respond. I know what that’s like. Being in darkness, hearing sounds and voices and not being able to find your way out. It sucks. You really have to try, though. Let my voice pull you. You’re so strong after everything you’ve been through. If anyone can fight the black, it’s you, Jake.”
She was leaning forward on her chair, her left elbow resting on the edge of the bed, her other hand drawing shapes on Jake’s forearm absentmindedly. She wasn’t even looking at Jake as she spoke. She was some place far away, lost in her thoughts. “Here’s the thing, Jake. These feelings that I’ve got stabbing into my heart and filling my mind are so powerful. I don’t know exactly what went on when I was out of my body but over the days I’ve been coming to visit you, one thing has become clear. I love you. I always have. Even when I thought I hated you, I still loved you. You make me angry. You make me happy. You make me laugh. You make me feel. Maybe it’s taken all of this to kick some sense into me, I’m not sure. What I do know is, I don’t want anyone else. I want you, Jake. Always.”
Maybe it was the fact that it was easier to say while Jake was out of it or maybe it was the fact that with everything that had happened over the last couple of weeks, she had come to realize what was really important in life and how fragile life actually was.
A movement brought Kate back to the present. As she turned and looked at Jake, she held her breath.
His head had turned and his eyes were open, staring at her. Tears dripped down onto his cheeks.
“Jake! Oh my God! You’re back!” Tears started to fall from Kate’s eyes too and fell onto Jake’s arm.
Jake licked his dry lips and spoke in a raspy voice. “That was beautiful.”
Kate smiled fully at Jake, ecstatic that he’d heard her, but as she looked into his eyes she noticed them cloud over. Confusion marred his handsome features as he cocked his head to one side, studying her.
He added, almost in a whisper but loud enough for Kate to hear. “But do I know you?”
Kate tensed, the smile disappearing instantly. “Jake? It’s me, Kate. Don’t you remember?” Panic started to well inside her at the thought that he didn’t recognize her.
Jake’s eyes narrowed as he tried to think. “Can’t remember.”
Kate called out to Jenny. “Mom! Come in here!”
Jenny hurried in, worry marring her features.
Kate turned to her. “He doesn’t remember me! He doesn’t remember me!”
“Shh. It’s okay. He’s only just woken up. He’s probably confused.” Jenny hovered beside Kate. “Jake? Do you remember me? Jenny?”
He tore his gaze away from Kate and looked at Jenny, shaking his head a moment later. “No.”
Jenny frowned and placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder, her lips tight.
“Mom? What if he never remembers?”
“I’m sure he will, honey. Just give it time.” She didn’t sound so sure, though.
A nurse entered, taking Jake’s vitals and looking into his eyes with a small torch. “How-a you feel?”
“A bit sleepy but fine,” he said.
“He doesn’t remember any of us. Will his memory return?” Kate asked.
The nurse walked to Jake’s chart and read it, familiarizing herself with his condition.
“I don’t see why not. I think we all need to leave him to rest and hopefully tomorrow his memory will start to return.
Jenny nodded, shuffling behind Kate, ready to pull the wheelchair out.
“Wait!” Jake was looking directly at Kate. “Don’t go. Stay. Please?”
Kate pointed a finger to herself, shocked at Jake’s request. “Me?”
He nodded.
Kate looked perplexed as she turned to her mother for her approval.
“Nurse. Is it okay if my daughter stays a bit longer?”
The nurse looked at her watch. “Thirty minutes. No more.”
Kate’s mom agreed and wheeled Kate back to Jake’s bedside before quietly walking out. The nurse followed suit.
Kate waited for Jake to say something else but he just stared at her, so she whispered, “Why did you want me to stay when you don’t remember me?”
“I don’t know. I can’t explain it. I feel comfortable with you. Your face doesn’t look familiar but your touch does. Those words you said to me before. I felt something.”
“Why were you crying?”
“I…I’m not sure. I had my eyes closed, listening to you speak, and it sounded like an angel’s voice.”
Jake looked to Kate’s head wound as if seeing it for the first time. “What happened?”
“Uhh, it’s kind of a long story. One we might leave for another day.”
Kate reached out for Jake’s hand and laced her fingers with his, knowing that it was their connection that Jake had felt. The pull. Something that would never die. Suddenly, everything was okay. If Jake never got his memory back they would start afresh without any baggage. If he did remember everything or pieces, they would continue to fight for the happy ever after. It didn’t matter if Kate looked like a stranger to Jake because when you stripped it all back, what was left were two souls knowing that they were a part of each other. Always.
About the Author
I am married and a mother of two beautiful children, living in sunny Queensland, Australia. I've been reading books ever since I can remember and love all things related to books. Writing has become an extension of that and I hope to pursue a full time writing career. I currently write part-time and work as a remedial massage therapist. I love spending time with family and hope to one day travel to Italy and England.
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ckey, Instinctual 2
Instinctual 2 Page 19