Chapter {45}

Emrys Belle:

Damon was being released from the hospital today and I honestly have no idea as to what the future holds.

Everleigh explained to Damon about the incident and has updated him on most things that have been happening, aside from meeting me and all that we have shared.

Already telling him that he did not remember the last year and a half of his life and seems stuck in a parallel timeline where he is still engaged to Melodie, was a little too much for him to handle in the time of his decent out of coma to tell him otherwise.

Due to the state of his condition, telling him everything in one go would be too traumatic and could cause him more problems that the doctors would like to avoid altogether. So, we just let him believe what he wants and slowly introduce the things in the past year that he missed out on such as the birth of his first niece.

Introducing the idea of Aj and I was something else altogether since in Damon's mind Melodie was the love of his life, seemingly forgetting all the heartbreak she caused him many years ago.

I was told by Rose – who disliked the woman very much– that they had met when Damon went to college. She was all he ever wanted, all he spoke about was his Melodie, 'the song to his heart', as he explained to his sister.

I couldn't help but feel hurt as her words about him and Melodie together. I was his sunshine, the light in his life, but would that be enough?

Melodie had wealsed her way into Damon's life, taking him to new places, doing things that – according to Rose– Damon would have never done. He was so in love with her and proposed to her but no one in the family knew until Annora caught her big brother talking about eloping somewhere far and away from his family, apparently, it was Melodie's idea.

Damon caught her one evening with some other man and no matter how Melodie pleaded with him that she loved him but she had destroyed him. Damon became more work-driven after that, got into more fights and just overall dismissed himself from the world, being more reckless. Thus that fateful night where I found him in that alleyway.

My mind was constantly racing as to how life would be from now on. Where would I live? How will Aj react to all this? What will happen next?

The Mortimers had assured me that they would find a solution and explain to Damon in little sections what he had missed out on, starting with Rose and the baby then building up to Aj and me.

As for sleeping arrangements, Aj and I would live at the Mortimer residence alongside Melodie and Damon. Having to stay with the Mortimers was reassuring to me, I wouldn't be along in this. And living in our old apartment with Damon and everything that could remind him of us and what we had would be too much all at once to take in and if everything were to be removed it would just be an extra hassle that does not need to be done.

I offered to go live at my old apartment or even, dare I say it, back in Jersey with my mother, Steven and Mia but Everleigh gasped and forbade me from ever thinking that I should live far away from this family.

I heard the front door opening and the soft voice that belonged to Melodie rang in the otherwise silent house. I was sat at the dinner table in the Mortimer residence. Everleigh to my left, Asher at the head of the table, leaving the two seats in front of me to Damon and Melodie. The two walked hand in hand looking all loved up almost making me sick to my stomach.

I had no idea how Asher and Everleigh were going to handle the situation or what they were going to say to Damon or how he will react to the news of having to move back in with his parents but at this point, I no longer wanted to think or fight.

"Have a seat son." Asher indicated, gesturing to the seats beside him to his left.

"Why did you organise this meeting dad?" Damon questioned still holding hands with Melodie.

Our eyes met and for a split second, I thought I saw the old Damon behind those brown eyes, for that one second I had hope but it was quickly snatched away.

"What is the Doctor doing here?" Melodie all but snarled in my direction, her beautiful face turning ugly at the expression.

"She will be staying with us until further notice as will you, my dear boy." Asher started but was soon cut off by an uproar of disapproving grunts from Damon.

"Dad, I'm not a child anymore. I would like to move back to my own place with my fiance. Being in a familiar place can help jog my memory back." Damon spoke with hope sending one of his signature smiles but not in my direction but to Melodie.

I couldn't help to cast my eyes to my hands, lingering longer than I should on my engagement ring that was still sat proudly on my left ring finger. Everleigh soon caught onto my gaze and reached over subtly to take my left hand in hers for a quick squeeze to let me know that I was not alone.

"Damon that is not up for discussion. You were shot in the head and are fucking lucky to be alive. You will be staying here with the rest of us." Asher roared out but pulled his composure up and the end.

"Dad this is clearly unjustified, I'm sure Melodie can take care of me perfectly fine. I don't need mum babying me as if I was five again." Damon shot back.

I had never seen him speak in such a manner to his parents that I knew he loved so much.

"Damon you will do as you are told and that's the end of it. You need help and constant supervision and monitoring, those are doctor's orders. Right, Emrys?" Asher continued, all eyes on me.

"Yes right." I nodded a little startled.

"Mr Mortimer–" I started but got cut off by Damon.

"Just call me Damon."

"Right, Damon–" I took a deep breath and squeezed Everleigh's hand.

"What you need to understand is that the trauma that you have lived through is not one to be taken lightly. It's not just a graze that can be kissed better, this is serious damage. You have suffered memory loss and that is not something to take jokingly. Your parents mean well and it is my job to keep monitoring your progress and report it back to Ni- I mean the neurologist in charge of your case. This was a lucky escape, you can't take your life for granted because you wish to be away from your family life."

Our eyes locked once more, I was fighting the tears that were threatening to rise but I knew I was stronger than that.

"Why pick a pregnant doctor? You'd become redundant at some point, might as well be now, no?" Melodie's voice rang almost as innocent as she looked but there was malice behind her words that Damon didn't pick up upon but his parents surely did.

"Melodie is it?" I started sitting a little straighter in my seat.

"I am a qualified doctor and have been following Damon's case since he was first submitted to my care. I know the ins and outs of his case and the story behind every bullet wound on his body. I will be treated with respect despite my current condition as being with child does not stop me from doing my work. My job is to ensure the wellbeing of Damon and that is what I will do and you certainly won't stop me from doing so."

I met her gaze and was not going to back down in front of her, especially not when the wellbeing of a loved one is involved.

I saw in the corner of my eye Asher smirk and mumble under his breath "That's definitely Carter's girl" finishing with a light chuckle to himself.

"Dad, why are you laughing?" Damon questioned seemingly confused by what had just happened.

"Nothing son. Old man brain." he tried to brush off getting a kick under the table by his wife.

"So it's settled." Everleigh clapped seeing as Melodie was getting agitated after my words and besides, who in their right mind would go after Mrs Mortimer herself.

As soon as the meeting was over I went out to the garden to sit by the roses and got my phone out to see how my little man was doing.

"Mommy?" I heard his little voice ring through after I had spoken to my sister who was keeping him at the moment.

"Hey, bubba." I smiled to myself, calming down now that I had heard his voice.

"When are you coming mommy? I want to go home." I could hear the tremble in his voice. This was too big of a change and I know that neither Damon nor I being there was setting off tantrums that Mia and my mother had to handle.

"I don't know baby. Mommy needs to take care of daddy, I told you he was a little sick and until he feels better you have to stay with grandma and auntie Mia." I pleaded with him trying to stay cheery enough for him.

"Mommy I want to go home. I need to play with Gramps." Aj reasoned, a tear slipping from my eye as he spoke those words.

"I know baby, Gramps will still be there when you get back I promise. We can all go see him." I swallowed the lump that was lodged in my throat and wiped the tear from my eye.

I saw Rose walk in my direction with Leora on her hip.

"Aj I need to go now bubba. I love you and will phone tomorrow at the same time okay?" He mumbled a sad yes before hanging up the phone.

I leaned further onto the bench as Rose came to take a seat beside me.

"Mum told me how the meeting went and that you were staying here until things settle." she started bouncing Leora on her knee.

"Yes. Aj is desperate to come back home but with Damon in the state he is it's too much of a change for Aj to handle at the minute and I don't need the added stress. This baby can't handle any more stress.." I sighed running my hand over my round belly.

Rose gave me a sad smile.

"This situation is just ridiculous. I just want Melodie to disappear. When she broke Damon's heart I almost got her but he begged me to let her live. I should have pulled the trigger that night." A dark shadow cast over Rose's blue eyes when she spoke of Melodie, a light fear settling in me.

"Girls, Dinner!" Everleigh's voice rang out into the otherwise silent garden, the light settling down over the treetops.

Suddenly the crystal clear blue Rose's eyes once were turned back to what they once were. She gave me a big smile and hooked her daughter back on her hip, giving me a hand to get up off the bench and walked us back into the house. We made our way into the big dining room where most of the Mortimer family was. I gave hugs to my aunt and uncle and to Paul who I hadn't seen all day before taking my seat.

Everleigh was buzzing around putting food on all the little boys' plates since Wilder, Woodrow and Roses boys were there too. Small chatter was filling the room, Freyah was sitting next to me asking loads of questions about the baby and asking how Aj was, Wolf was talking to his father and uncles and Annie was helping Everleigh feed the little ones while we waited for Damon, Melodie and Alex. The twins were sat by Rose, Annora playing with Leora while Rose prepared her food. Alex stormed in with no care in the world and flung himself in a seat dumping his guns and other weapons on the table.

"Umm Alexander. What have I said about weapons on the table?" Everleigh suddenly stopped in her tracks and lifted her head to look at her son.

"But dad gets to have his gun on the table." He whined like a child.

"Your father is a different story, now put them away." She spoke softly, continuing to dish out plates.

"But mum–" he started, she shot him a look and damn I would not want to be on the other end of those green eyes.

Alex huffed and put his gun and knives away, mumbling under his breath making Rose chuckled at her brother being told off.

"Good boy," Everleigh smirked knowing that it would set her son off.

"Damon! Dinner!" Annie yelled by the door.

Soon the footsteps of the man I loved followed by the woman he thought he still loved, came into the room. The friendly chatter dying down as they walked in. A sense of unease in the air. Freyah gave me a last comforting smile as Damon took his seat opposite me with Melodie by his side.

Rose rolled her eyes seeing Melodie there, her husband trying to calm her down by taking Leora in his arms and continue feeding her.

"Let's start shall we?" Everleigh clapped.

Very little conversation was flowing in the room, other than the giggles of the children and the clatter of the cutterly against the plates no one was speaking a word from the family. Melodie, on the other hand, seemed to have an amazing time talking about her 'wedding' arrangements to Damon. My anger building at each word, at each touch she laid on Damon, at each smile he gave her, at each look. I seemed completely forgotten for good.

Everleigh being polite was making all the appropriate comments and noises at each of Melodie's wedding suggestions. I barely touched my plate, my appetite leaving me but I forced myself to have something for this little ray of sunshine I was carrying on this cloudy day.

I excused myself once everyone was finished and went back to my room to start unpacking what Paul had gone to get me back at the apartment. Soon everyone was in bed but sleep did not wish to visit me.

I sat in bed reading up on the possible ways to try and get Damon's memory back, reading up on all the studies and researches that could possibly help and get me to understand a little more what I was dealing with and be able to then explain to Aj should I need to if ever Damon does not remember anything of us ever.

With the baby pushing on my bladder, a trip to the bathroom was in order. Once I had done that I pulled my hair out of its ponytail, shaking it up a little before deciding to get a little midnight snack.

I made sure to be extra quiet since it was the early hours of the morning but I was craving some strawberries and whipped cream and what baby wants the baby gets.

I successfully made my way to the kitchen without getting lost in this massive house and walked to the fridge humming a little tune as I opened the door and proceeded to search for the strawberries. Once my eyes found the prize and picked up the whipped cream that was sitting by the milk and popped that can open.

I started eating the strawberries, not regretting my decision at all being in my own little food happiness that I didn't hear the person walking into the kitchen.

"Couldn't sleep?" the deep voice spoke up, making me jump and press the whipped cream can sending it flying into the air.

"Oh my goodness!" I let out, closing the fridge door.

I turned to see a very shirtless Damon leaning over the centre kitchen island.

He let out a chuckle under his breath shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, I thought I was the only one awake." I rushed out.

Then I realised what I was wearing and he was too. I was in a big t-shirt that just about reached my mid-thigh. Thank god I had some shorts underneath.

"You didn't wake me if that's what you are worrying about," Damon added.

"Oh, good. I didn't want to wake anyone. Cravings." I pulled a funny face and pointed to my stomach.

"And that baby girl wanted some strawberries and cream did she?" he continued making my heart stop.

"Baby girl?" I squeaked out.

My Damon always said that we were going to have a daughter and I refused to know this baby's gender because I wanted Damon there with me.

"Yeah, judging by the way you are carrying the bump. It's definitely a girl," he explained, the smidge of hope I felt gone as soon as it came.

"Oh, right." was all I could say.

"Are you okay?" he asked next, coming closer towards me.

I didn't know quite what to do as he approached.

"I'm just getting some milk if you would like to shuffle over a little please." he was now standing in front of me and I just couldn't find the strength to move.

He gave an awkward smile seeing as I was not moving. Then proceeded to place his hands on my shoulder to move me to the side, his touch sending butterflies to my stomach and apparently little baby kicks.

My hand that was not holding the can of cream shot straight to my stomach.

"Is everything alright? Is the baby okay?" Damon rushed out seeing me even more stunned and speechless than I was before.

He placed his hands on my stomach as if to see if there was anything wrong but the baby's kicks only got stronger with his touch. I could see the panic swim in his eyes.

"If those are Braxton hicks we need to get you to sit with your feet up and rest. Or do you need to go to the hospital? We can do that, let me get my keys I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Damon, I'm okay." I laughed out.

"What?" he stopped his panic thought process.

"I'm okay. It's just the baby kicking. I'm okay, see?" I took his hands in mine and placed his hand where the baby's feet were.

"It's just kicks, strong ones but I'm okay, baby is okay," I reassured him.

"I'm fine." I met his eyes, our hands still on my stomach.

"I swear." I smiled.

"Okay. Sorry, I panicked. I've just seen so many things go wrong with pregnancies and I wouldn't want that to happen to you. You seem like a nice person and don't deserve that heartbreak." his voice held a past underlying pain that I wanted to take away from him.

"Umm Damon? Why are you not in bed?"

Upon hearing Melodie's voice I dropped the can of whipped cream making it bang loudly on the floor making me jump and Damon step back in a rush.

"I'll be right there Melodie, I was just getting a glass of milk." Damon turned to her.

"Well hurry up and come back to bed with me," she whined with her perfect angelic voice.

"Sure honey bunny, I'll be right there."

I had to hold my laughter at his nickname for her. Thankfully she did not notice it and walked back off towards the door presumingly to go back to their room.

"Well, I'm off to bed again. Thank you for your concern earlier. It was sweet." I thanked Damon then proceeded to bend down and pick the discarded can of whipped cream off the floor with a little struggle since my bump was getting bigger.

"Here, let me," Damon said picking the can up from the floor.

"Thank you, again," I said as we both came back up from.

"Again, thank you," I mumbled softly.

"You've thanked me enough. I was only making sure that my doctor was fit enough to take care of me too. It goes both ways you know."

I just nodded my head, still lost in his warm brown eyes.

As I was walking off, leaving him by the fridge his voice called me back.

"You take care of that baby girl for me, yeah? You need to take care of yourself and her."

I held my breath and looked back at him giving a small smile. Somehow I felt that he remembered, for that short moment I felt he was there, the old him. And I will hold onto that hope.

________________________________

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who left lovely messages on the last update! I tried to reply to everyone and thank you all personally.

Here is an update and who knows when the next will be out.

I still have two essays to go and revisions for exams that are coming up mid-May...

Thoughts?

Predictions?

was this a sign of Damon and his memory coming back?

Is it a baby girl?

what will happen next?

xoxo