Chapter Text
Before The Accident:
Anne’s refurbished, black 1956 Ford Thunderbird zoomed down the highway.
“Would you slow down?” Anne shouted, “This car is the only child I’ll ever have!” Ann’s eyes rolled.
“I’m going five under the limit, Anne,” Ann replied. “And it’s not my fault you twisted your ankle trying to load all of our bags in one go.” Anne’s brow creased.
“You’ve been off since this morning,” Anne pointed out. Ann scoffed.
“Have I?”
“Yes, you have,” Anne reinforced. “Have I done something to upset you?” Ann’s grip tightened around the wheel.
“You told your coworkers you were going away for a conference,” Ann said, “Not a vacation with your girlfriend.” Anne’s gaze fell on Ann’s clenched jaw.
“I thought you understood that I prefer to keep my private life private?” Anne retorted.
“Everyone I work with knows about you,” Ann argued.
“You work with children!” Anne said. “All they care about is candy and cartoons.” Ann’s nostrils flared as her eyes remained locked on the road.
“Just once I wish you’d prove you’re not ashamed of us. What we do.” Anne’s mouth fell open.
“Ann,” Anne whispered, reaching for her girlfriend’s hand. “What we have is beautiful, and I could never feel shame for it.” Her thumb grazes the top of Ann’s hand. “I love you.” Ann drew in a long breath then nodded.
“I know,” Ann said. “It’s just sometimes it feels like you’re hiding me away.”
“Well, that won’t happen this weekend,” Anne said with a grin. She bent down and pulled her bag into her lap. “Let’s see what’s on the itinerary, shall we?” She pulled out a clipboard with the weekend’s schedule planned out by the hour. Ann’s frown deepened.
“Can we not just have a relaxing vacation?”
“Of course we can,” replied Anne. “I have a couple’s massage planned tomorrow at hour twelve. Of course, that’s after breakfast, hiking, and a quick swim.” Anne’s eyes continued scanning the list. “Oh, and we must have dinner at that lodge tomorrow night!” Ann let out a huff.
“You’re not listening, Anne.” Ann grabbed the itinerary and tossed it into the back.
“Hey!” Anne shouted. She unbuckled her seatbelt then reached into the back to retrieve the tossed item. When she returned forward, Ann’s face had paled.
“What’s that?” Anne’s gaze followed Ann’s eyes to a small, velvet box on the floor. It must’ve fallen from her bag while she was unbuckled. Anne sighed.
“I think you know what it is.” They stared deeply into one another’s eyes.
A loud, blaring noise interrupted them before a hard impact knocked them both unconscious.
_____
After the Accident:
Anne gasped awake in a hospital bed with her girlfriend nowhere in sight. “Ann? Ann!” she shouted. A nurse rushed in.
“Ma’am, I’m-”
“Where’s Ann?” she demanded.
“I’m afraid you can’t see her right now,” the nurse explained. “She suffered extensive injuries and was rushed into surgery.” Anne’s head shook.
“No.” Tears burned her eyes as she swung her legs to the side of the bed.
“Ma’am, I’m afraid I can’t let you leave this room,” the nurse warned.
“I’m an attending surgeon, which makes me your superior,” Anne retorted. “I will do as I please.”
Anne managed three steps before her body once again succumbed to darkness.
_____
The faint beep of a heart monitor was the only interruption from the heavy silence of Ann Walker’s hospital room.
Anne sat by her girlfriend’s side holding her hand with a death grip. “Tonight, I was supposed to propose,” she said between shaky breaths. Her back remained facing the nurse’s pitying stare. “It was the only thing not written on the itinerary.” Anne’s head shook. “I should’ve listened to her. I-” Ann’s eyes began to flutter open.
“Ann?” Anne said. “Ann, it’s me.” Ann’s gaze landed on Anne, and her brow creased.
“There was an accident,” Anne said, her eyes welling with tears. “But you’re going to be okay. We’re going to be okay.” Ann’s attention fell to Anne’s hand over her own. She jerked it away.
“I’m sorry,” said Ann. “I don’t know who you are.” Anne’s eyes widened.
______
After the weekend ended, Anne had Ann transferred to her hospital back home. Still, Ann had no memories of her girlfriend and hasn’t spoken since the reveal. Nevertheless, Anne held hope that one day her love would return to her, and she vowed that when that day came she’d never waste another second.