Chapter {48}

Emrys Belle:

"What about this one?" I asked, flatting the fabric as I stood in front of the mirror.

"I don't know, it looks a little weird with the bump," Rose commented, bouncing Leora on her knee.

"I agree with Rose. I like the blue one." Everleigh commented.

"Which blue one? The Dark one or the one with the slit at the leg?" Freyah was next to ask.

"The slit," Rose confirmed.

The sound of agreement settles in the air.

"What do you think, honey? You are the one wearing the dress after all." Everleigh added.

"I don't know. It's a beautiful dress –" I started.

"Makes your eyes pop more." Freyah cut in.

"– well yes it does but I'm not feeling it. I still have one dress to try on and if it's not it then I'll just go with the blue one. It's not like there are many options for pregnant women on such short notice." I sighed sadly.

"It's going to be fine, we will get you a fabulous dress for this gala and you will blow Damon's brains back into place and outshine that horrid woman he so calls 'loves'." Annie chimed in taking my hand and helping me back to the dressing room to get into the final dress.

I was a lot more hesitant with this last dress, that's why I kept it for last as it was a lot more revealing then the other dressed and I had hope that I would have liked the others so that I didn't have to try this one on but no dress fit the bill.

With Annie's help, I robed the delicate dress, it was completely hand made, the embroidered fabric sitting in all the right places, it was almost sheer but the design and the rhinestones sewed on the dress didn't make it vulgar at all. I decided to step out in this dress to show the others.

"Oh wow, that's beautiful." Rose gasped.

"Show them the back Emrys." Annie excitedly added.

I proceeded to turn around and show the back of the dress, or lack thereof. It showed off the majority of my back with one of the straps of fabric draping my shoulder on one side giving a sort of train effect at the back and the other falling to my elbow mixing with the flow of the dress giving a softer look.

"You look radiant my darling. It puts the bump on show without making you look too huge. It's beautiful." Everleigh commented with tears in her eyes.

"Isn't it a little much though? Too revealing?" I anxiously asked playing around with the skirt of the dress and looking at myself intricately in the mirror in front of me.

"Not at all, it might be a little more than you are comfortable with but honestly you look hot in that dress. With your hair up and perhaps a thin silver bracelet and stud earring for some sparkle and that's you done!" Freyah excitedly exclaimed.

Feeling a little better hearing everyone's comments I nodded and decided to go with this dress for tonight's gala, with only a couple hours left before we had to get ready I didn't any other solutions anyways so I was glad to find a dress.

We all headed to the Mortimer residence and started to get ready, makeup brushes flying all over the place, the smell of hairspray and chatter filling the air. Seeing Everleigh lovingly do her daughter's hair made me wish that Damon was in fact right and that I was carrying a baby girl. I love Aj with all my heart but I did want a daughter with whom I could share all this girly stuff with. I have lived in scrubs for the vast majority of my life and it was nice to be in something glittery and glamorous for once in my life.

Asher told us that the guys would meet us at the hotel where the gala was being held. So once we were all ready we took several cars driven by chauffeurs to this hotel. Aj would stay at home with the rest of the grandchildren, several well trusted nannies would be there to take care of them as well as fully armed men in and outside of the house giving me peace of mind. Since Aj came back I have been watching him like a hawk. I don't think he would leave again since he is where he wanted to be in the first place but knowing where he is and that he is safe really helps me relax. I managed to keep Aj away from Damon as much as I could during the past three days. Even if I had explained to Aj about Damon not remembering I don't think he could help himself from calling him 'daddy'. As much as I wish for Damon to remember everything instantly I can't be that selfish. Little by little is the way to go if not the overdose of information could possibly have a worse effect.

"Hey, everything will be perfectly fine darling. Aj is fine at home, even if Damon is hung on Melodie's arm you are not alone. You can borrow Asher if you wish for a dance. It's going to be fine honey." Everleigh took my hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze probably guessing that I was very nervous about tonight.

We got to the hotel and it looked so grand, you could tell this place screamed money. It was still light outside, the end of summer announcing itself as the nights became darker earlier now. The sun setting let a warm orange glow set across the grand structure of the hotel. With a little assistance from Wolf who had come to greet us, I got out of the car and followed him in followed by the rest of the women of the family.

He took us in a separate room while the ballroom was still getting set up since the gala organisers were running late.

"My oh My little dove, you look beautiful." Paul smiled coming up to me taking me in his arms.

"Thanks, Paully." I smiled returning the hug.

"Come take a seat. I'll get you a drink." Paul suggested pointing to the bar that was in the room.

Seeing Damon sat at the bar nursing a drink I shook my head to Paul and said I needed to talk to Damon about tonight.

I slowly made my way to the bar considering I was in heels and quite pregnant.

"Hey," I called out softly as to not scare him since he was on his phone.

"Hi," he mumbled, concentrating on his phone.

"Have you had any headaches?" I cleared my throat trying to gain his attention.

Damon lifted his head to actually acknowledge me this time.

"Wow. You look stunning." he complimented, his eyes taking me in from top to bottom.

"Thank you, you clean up pretty well too." I blushed back.

"Anyway, have you had any headaches? Many pains?" I asked again tried to see if he was showing any signs of pain or discomfort.

"No, not since the other day," he replied.

I nodded, looking around not seeing, well more like not hearing, Melodie.

"Is Melodie not coming tonight?" before I could stop myself the words were spilling out my mouth.

"She is, she's just running a little late. Something about wanting to look perfect or whatever nonsense. Women am I right?" he tried to joke.

I lifted a brow and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Not all women take forever to get ready. Look around you Damon, your sisters and sister in law as well as your mother, aunt and myself are all ready in time." I shot back slightly offended by his comment.

We knew we would take time to get ready. That's why you start early and help each other get ready and still manage to be on time for the event. Melodie was taking the piss but I did not want to cause stress onto Damon especially when tonight will be taxing enough for him.

"Fair point, I guess Melodie is just special like that," he commented, his eyes not being able to meet mine as he spoke.

I tried not to gag as he said that the bile rising in my throat was getting too hard to control so I asked the server behind the bar for a lemon water so that I wouldn't say something I shouldn't.

Soon enough it was time to join the ballroom as the gala commenced, Melodie had arrived in the nick of time. We slowly made our way into the already full room. Most of the family taking champagne flutes distributed by waiters dressed in black slacks and crisp white shirts with black bow ties. As Damon took one I gave him a warning glare.

"You can't over drink tonight, you already had a scotch whilst we were waiting. You are only allowed two more drinks, pick them wisely." I added.

"Also, if you feel the need to stop at any time, tell me and take a rest, I'll check your vitals then and see if there are no further complications. You can't overdo yourself this evening Damon. Your injuries are still fresh." I reminded him to which he nodded.

"Leave him alone! He is not a child, he can do what he wants. I'm his fiancee and not you so know your place." Melodie butted in, insisting on the 'I'm' giving me a vicious glare.

I could feel Rose behind me prepared to defend me and give her a piece of her mind but I simply put my hand up to stop her, most of the others had already gone mingling.

"Like I've said before Melodie. I am the certified doctor here. I was hired to take care of Mr Mortimer and I shall do as such. You nor anyone else will prevent me from doing my job. Damon knows what he should do –or not for that matter– in order to maintain his health. Now, if you'll excuse me I have some old friends of my father's to meet."

With that I sauntered off, Rose hooked her arm with mine and gave me a high five once are arms were hooked.

"I love it when you snap back at her. Someone needs to remind her of her place." Rose added as we made our way to where Kendyn was, waiting for us at a table.

I was now all alone at the table that was reserved for us. Not before long, I decided to head to get myself another drink when I was stopped in my step.

"Leaving so soon Birdie? I thought we could share a dance for all times sakes."

My shoulders visibly tensed at his voice.

"What are you doing here Jeremy? This is an invitation-only, I didn't realise that you got a waitressing job. Good for you." I held a sarcastic smile as I turned around to face the first man I was supposed to marry.

"I see getting knocked up didn't affect your witty sense of humour," he smirked.

I must admit he looked handsome dressed in all black, from his shoes to his shirt and even his tie. His shiny black hair styled for once and his blue eyes, those crystal blue eyes that never fail to make my heart squeeze a little at each glance. I know why I fell in love with him but I know and will never forget why I fell out of love with him in the first place.

"Like I said, why are you here?" I questioned again.

He smiled to the ground, running his hand through his luscious dark locks to put the fallen strands out of his eyes before he met my gaze again.

"Why else would I be here other than to see you, my little birdie."

I almost wanted to throw a punch but before my thoughts turned into actions a third voice broke the pending silence.

"Is all alright here Emrys?"

Of course, Damon had to show up at this time. Before I had time to say anything Jeremy stepped closer to him, a glint in his eyes.

"Well looky here. Always there to save the day aren't you?" Jeremy sneered.

"I'm sorry do I know you?" Damon matched his tone, taking a step forward.

"I'm fine Damon. I can handle this." I stepped between both men turning my back to Jeremy.

"Yes Damon, step away from my wife." Jeremy shot back.

I paused then turned around.

"I beg your pardon?" I placed my hand on my hips which seemed to have drawn the attention to us.

"Is everything alright my dove?" Paul's voice rang from the left followed by Everleigh, Ray, Asher and everyone else was approaching us.

"Emrys, are you married to this man?" Damon's voice was almost heartbreaking.

"What? No!" I screeched back.

"Oh, birdie don't lie." Jeremy winked.

"Ok, first of all, you need to stop calling me birdie. Second, I am not your wife nor will I ever be, you chose to leave me on our wedding day for some slag and abandoning your son. Now I suggest you leave before I deliver the punch my fists have been waiting to land on you since that day." I pointed walking towards Jeremy.

"Don't use that tone on me," Jeremy growled taking hold of my wrist in a firm grip pulling me closer to him.

The sound of guns cocking filled the air at his move.

"I'd suggest you let her go and nobody gets hurt," Asher warned his gun pointing in Jeremy's direction.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Damon with his gun out and pointed and ready to shoot. The look of confusion was swimming in his eyes but determined to figure out who Jeremy was.

With a sigh of defeat, Jeremy let go of the hold of my wrist, glaring my way.

"You and I both know this is not finished Emrys. Don't think they will be able to protect you forever." were the last words that Jeremy spoke to me before fading off into the crowd once again, completely slipping away.

"You okay Honey?" Eveleigh approached me and stroked my arm softly.

"Yeah, just dandy." I smiled but she knew I was a little shaken.

"Let's take her back to the room we were in earlier for some quiet time and see what you want to do from there," Everleigh announced to the others.

She took my hand and together we left the crowded ballroom that was starting to suffocate me. We made our way to the room we were in before and Everleigh sat me down on the crisp white sofa. She helped me take my shoes off as the others started to walk in.

"You don't all have to be here, go enjoy yourselves." I pushed seeing that literally all of the family was in the room.

"Darling, I hate these kinds of events, these suits drive me mad, I'd rather be in my leather jacket," Asher spoke up sitting beside me to hand me a drink of water.

I gratefully took the glass of water and tried to collect my thoughts. I have no idea how Jeremy managed to get into this very exclusive event.

**************

Damon Mortimer:

My eyes were drawn to Emrys. I don't know who that man was that approached her in such a manner but I did not like it one minute. The more I was thinking about him the more I could feel a memory gasping to reach the surface.

Melodie stormed into the room, rage evident on her face. I had almost forgotten that she existed.

"DAMON!" she yelled.

"You can't leave me like that. I didn't know where you were or anyone else was." she pouted coming towards me, taking my eyes away from Emrys.

"There was an incident." was all I said.

"It's because of her isn't it. That bitch, she always brings drama and can never shut her mouth. I bet she doesn't even know who the father of the child she's carrying." she sneered.

"You don't know anything about her Melodie so I suggest you stop," I warned, patience slowly slipping with her.

"Oh because you do?" she snapped back.

She has a point. I don't know much or at all about Emrys but somehow I feel like I do.

My thoughts drifted back to the man from earlier, his voice and the way he spoke to Emrys was somewhere in my mind. I just knew it.

Images flashing in my mind, a mix of Emrys yelling and me fighting with that man from earlier. My head was pounding as I tried to remember someone that seemed so foreign to me.

"Damon? Are you even listening to me?" Melodie's irritating voice sounding like nails on a blackboard at this moment, the sound becoming deafening.

I held my head in my hands, losing my balance as the headache of the memory grew stronger.

I could hear my name being called by loads of different voices in the room. The figures around me blurring into the background. I felt myself being set on the floor, my eyes cast to the bright lights on the ceiling, groaning in pain.

I could hear little sentences, noises and blurs until she came into view. Her blue eyes with that streak of brown in one eye, her blonde hair and her soft lips moving but I couldn't make out any words.

A soft hand cupping mine keeping it warm. I wanted to hold her hand and never let it go.

I could still see her lips moving, my head aching from all these images that were mixing with things I thought I remembered until nothing more showed up aside from darkness.

_______________________________________

Hello, My loves!

I hope you are all well and safe!

I know you all know what has been happening in the world and I wanted to let my lovely coloured readers know that I stand with you, I love you and all the BS has been going on for too long and change needs to come, it's long overdue!!

If you wanna chat with me about it and how you feel or ways I can educate myself more on all this then please feel free to do so! I love a chat and even if it's just to vent about anything even something silly then go-ahead!

This stands for any of my readers if you just need to let off some steam or just need someone exterior to your circle to talk with than I'm here and I listen (might take a while to reply but I try!)

If you are protesting than please, please, please stay safe and try and social distance whenever you can xxx I kept my distance at a peaceful protest held in my town yesterday, masks present and spaced out according to UK regulations.
Also, I have taken this week to edit and format wolfgang to get ready to be published so chapter 49 will take some time to arrive.. sorry for delays xoxo
...

Thoughts on this chapter?

will this be enough to get Damon his memories back?

what will happen next?

xoxo