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The machines beep and hum around her. The hospital room is white, sterile, and silent. Her breathing is loud, too loud for the place. She fiddles with her phone, but it offers no distractions, she is singularly focused on her brother lying prone in the bed. She sent Attuma a text earlier, and he left her on read. Namora will give him a piece of her mind when she sees him.
The doctor made his rounds about 30 minutes ago, he assured her after looking at the results of the tests that there was nothing wrong with Namor, they just were waiting for him to wake up.
A nurse pokes her head through the doorway. It is the blond one, who is a little too friendly.
“Hello there. Are you in need of anything?” The nurse flitters near her brother, fluffing his pillows and smoothing his blankets. She glances at Namora, giving her a fake plastic smile before turning back to Namor. “He will wake up soon. Any day now.”
Namora simply nods.
There was another nurse was checking Namor’s vitals when Namora got to the hospital. She had been relieving Attuma, so he could go to work. He almost crushed her with his hug, and she patted his back while he cried. When he let go, he wiped at his eyes and told her he loved her.
She loves both of her brothers, but they are soft, soft-hearted romantics. But Namora, she is sturdy, and they are so lucky to have her.
The nurse continues, “It is always a shame when people like your brother are harmed. There is no justice in this world.”
Namora scoffs, “We are fine. I will call if he needs anything.”
The nurse purses her lips and makes her way out of the room, giving one last look to Namor.
Namora is tempted just to close the door when she gets a phone notification. It is Shuri.
Shuri: I am on my way, there is so much traffic rn. (Crying emoji face)
Namora: He is still out. Take your time.
She thinks about it a bit and adds “Be safe.” Someone needed to be, and it was not the lump laying right beside her. Who in their right mind wants to do their own stunts? Her idiot brother and Tom Cruise. Only it is her brother who has been in a coma for two days while Tom Cruise was safe and healthy, jumping on couches or whatever. This has better be an awakening for Namor, if it isn’t, she is prepared to light him on fire. Metaphorically.
Another nurse, this time it was the older brunette, barreling her way in, stating she needed to check his vitals, taking extra care to touch his face, hair, and arms. She moved about, patently ignoring Namora.
“How often do you need to do that? The other nurse was just here.” Namora questions in increased annoyance.
The brown-haired nurse finally notices her, not a bit sheepish.
“Well, every hour we need to do rounds. Maybe the other nurse wasn’t informed about the schedule,” she explains.
“I have been here for two hours and there have been six nurses coming into this room. Actually, there have been seven, you are the seventh. So, I think everything is fine and you can leave.”
The nurse quickly putters out of the room.
Namora almost wants to laugh, it seems like her brother has a lot of fans in the hospital. He will be delighted by all this attention when he wakes up.
The small sound of the pillow crinkling perks her up. Her brother is moving slightly, displaying all the signs of waking.
“Mmmph,” he sounds before opening his eyes, sitting up, and taking in his environment.
“Why…” he attempts, but it comes out all scratchy. Namora gets up and hands him a glass of water. Greedily, he gulps down the whole glass and gestures for more. She pours another glass, and he drinks it, holding the class in his hands.
“Namora?”
“Yes?”
“Why am I in the hospital?” There is a general confusion on his face, his eye narrow, and his mouth is shaped in a not-quite frown.
Namora lets out a breath, “You are in the hospital because you are an idiot.”
Namor laugh hoarsely, “I am always an idiot to you. But I am rarely in the hospital. What happened?”
“You are working on a new movie. It is very secretive, meaning they won't tell us much, just that you demanded to do a stunt. The stunt was underwater, you lost consciousness, and here you are.”
Namor clocks his head to the side, his expression is quizzical.
“I don’t know how to swim. Why would I offer to do an underwater stunt if I can’t swim?”
“What are you talking about? All this summer, you made it a point to learn to swim. Do you know how many pictures you took in your pool floaties? So many. There is a Tumblr dedicated to your swimming journey!” Namora picks up her phone to show him the Tumblr. Why Namora saved and followed that page is not important right now.
If anything, Namor grows more confused as he scrolls through the images.
“I don’t remember any of this.”
“What?!” Namora stares at him, he is solemn. If this is a joke, so help him. She pushes the button for the doctor. She takes her phone back and sends a group text telling them that Namor has awoken.
“I called for the doctor. Maybe he can explain what is happening to you.” she tries to assure him.
Namor quietly sips the rest of his water. She can almost hear the gears in his head turning.
Dr. Ross shows up minutes later, he nods to Namora then concentrates his attention the patient. “Hello, I am Doctor Ross.”
“Hello, Doctor.”
“How are you feeling? Any pain?”
“No pain, just confused”
“Okay. What is making you confused?” Dr. Ross shines a light in his left eye, then his right. He writes something down on his iPad, waiting patiently for the answer.
“My sister showed me something that doesn’t make sense.”
“Interesting. What year are we in right now?” the doctor asks.
Namor looks at the doctor and then at his sister before answering, "2021?"
Namora’s eyes widening as she side-eyes her brother.
The doctor writes something else on his tablet, “Namor, the year is 2023, The current date is September 18, 2023. You are at St. Margaret's Presbyterian Hospital, and you have been in a coma for 24 hours.” Dr. Ross pauses, letting the information absorb. “What is the last thing you remember?”
“I was working on The Suicide Squad. We were doing a press run through Zoom. My character died in the first fifteen minutes and I still had to sit through all of those interviews.” Namor shakes his head.
“I was not a fan of the movie, but your performance was the best part.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Her brother beams. The eternal showboat.
“I don’t know why your memory has stalled to 2021. Brains are not predictable. But in most cases the memory loss is temporary.” The doctor turns to Namora, “You can try to walk him through his life from his last known memory. Be vague and let him try to provide the details, but stop if he becomes overwhelmed.”
Namora inclines her head towards her brother, ”Will do.”
Doctor Ross places a stethoscope on Namor’s back, listening to his heart and lungs.
“Everything sounds normal. Remember, a coma is not the same as sleeping, it is a chance for the brain to repair itself. You might feel a little tired. That is normal. If you are smelling, hearing, seeing, or feeling something out of the ordinary, let me know.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
As the doctor leaves, a food service worker drops off a tray for lunch. The man takes one look at her brother and scurries off with a huge smile. Namora lifts the cover of the tray, it is a turkey sandwich with one packet each of mayo and mustard, a side salad, and a cup of jello.
Her brother glares at the bland meal, “I am not eating this.”
“It looks fine. You are being dramatic.”
“You eat it then.”
Namora puts the lid back on the tray. She is not going to eat that nasty ass food, and her brother knows this. She sends a quick text to Shuri to bring something.
“Where is Attuma? Why are you the only one here?”
“Attuma was here all night while you had your beauty rest. He is at work, he will come to see you after. Shuri will…” Namora stops. Does Namor remember her?
“Shuri?”
“She will relieve me, so I can go to class. Shuri is a friend.” She lies.
“Class? Are you still attending USC?”
Namora brightens, “Yep. I am in my senior year.”
“That's great! You were always the brain out of the three of us.”
They talk about everything he remembers from 2021, Namora listens and adds some vague information about what followed. Namor is interested in this life he led, but Namora can see a little sadness in him.
“The doctor said you will get your memory back soon.”
“How soon is soon?” he frowns.
—-
When Shuri shows up to the hospital room, Namor is asleep. Setting down the food on the cart where the food tray was previously occupied, she looks at Namor with a worried expression. Namora assures her that it is a normal sleep and informs her of what the doctor told them.
“So, he doesn’t remember me?” she asks, looking like a kicked puppy.
“Nope. But knowing my brother, he will fall in love with you at first sight again.”
“We’ll see.” Shuri’s mouth twitches, almost a smile. She wraps Namora in a side hug, thanking her.
“No problem. We are family.”
“Here, for later.” Shuri hands her a bag of food as she is getting ready to leave.
“Thanks. See you.”
Namora walks out of the room, texting Riri to save her a seat in class.
—-
Namor wakes, it is darker than before. How long was he asleep? Was the earlier encounter a dream? He is in the same hospital room, looking around, Namora isn’t here, but a beautiful woman is resting her head on her arm, sleeping in the chair next to his bed.
“Excuse me,” he whispers.
The woman wakes with a start, she springs out of the chair and crowds around him, stroking his hair and asking, “How are you feeling?”
“I am fine.”
She shakes her head, and the braids move like a water around her, “I close my eyes for a minute and miss you waking up again.”
Her gaze is fond, long lashes surround her brown eyes. Namor thinks he could look at those eyes forever. Her warm brown skin is flawless, her lips are pouty and sensual, she crinkles her cute nose when she notices he is just staring at her. Who was this goddess? Did he really die?
“Namor? Are you okay?” she reaches over to touch his forehead, and her hair grazes his cheek.
“Are you a goddess?” he asks, halfway serious.
She laughs and removes her hair from his face. Stepping back to give him some space, she introduces herself, “I am Shuri.”
“Namora’s friend?”
Her smiles dims slighty, “Something like that.”
Something like what? Who is Shuri? He knows for sure that had never met her. Namor would not have forgotten a beauty like Shuri.
“So, Shuri, tell me about yourself?”
“What do you want to know?”
Everything.
“How about why you're here? This seems to be more than just a favor for a friend.”
“Maybe I am a fan.”
Namor is energized, “A fan, huh? What is your favorite movie of mine?”
She puts her hand under her chin while she thinks, “Godzilla. That is my favorite movie.”
“May I ask why?”
Namor was not as proud of that performance, he had some good screen time, but they made him say words he did not understand take after take. The lines sounded forced, he didn’t think he was as believable in the role as he would have liked to be. He has come a long way as an actor since then.
“You were smart and brave. Scientists aren’t always portrayed that way, and I appreciated it.”
She grins at him, and his heart nearly bursts out of his chest.
He shocks himself by the feeling of his heart speeding up. He is nervous.
He can’t ever remember being this nervous around a woman. Maybe junior high, when his voice was changing and he shot up three inches taller. Namor had been a wreck around the opposite sex. That all smoothed out in high school, especially after he started playing varsity football.
“You like science?” Smooth, Namor .
She nods, “I am a scientist, who specializes in biotechnology.”
Shuri is beauty and brains, and all that he wants to think about for the upcoming future.
“Explain. Tell me everything.”
She laughs again and her eyes crinkle. It is a delight to see. He isn't worthy. “That is the second time you said this to me.”
The second time? So, they know each other? How close are they?
“The second time, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Did you explain everything the first time?”
“I tried. But your eyes glazed over after a few hours.”
“That sounds rude. I want to make up for that.” With all my heart.
“No need," she assures. "As long as you're okay, everything is fine.”
She takes a seat in the visitor’s chair, crossing her legs. Those legs are so long, smooth, and toned, Namor wants those legs around him or standing on him. He wants like to nibble and lick his way to the top.
She is too far away from him.
“You can sit here.” He pats the side of the bed.
Shuri moves to sit on the bed, her back almost touching his side.
Namor cheers internally.
“Shuri. Do you have a man? A boyfriend?” All are obstacles he can conquer, he is the better man 99% of the time. That is math.
“I have a husband.” She glances at him, taking in his expression. Must have been grim because she looks distinctly amused.
A husband? Depending on how long they have been married, there can be some wiggle room.
“How long have you been married?”
“A year.”
Not too long at all. Shuri’s husband probably doesn't worship her. After all, she is here with him.
“Look. I know you are married. But I believe I can make you happier than he ever could. I would treat you like a goddess. You will want for nothing.” He tries to take her hand in his, pulling on the IV in his arm. He winces at the pain. She scoots closer and briefly clasps their hands together.
“That is a nice idea. But I really, really love my husband with all my heart,” she rubs his head just like he likes.
“Does he love you?”
“I think he does.”
She shows him her ring, it is a gold band with a 5 ct. princess cut diamond solitaire with purple diamond accents around the band. Shuri’s husband must be rich but probably neglectful.
“I would leave no doubt in your mind. We have not known each other for that long, but know that my heart beats for you, only you. I can’t imagine living without seeing your face every day for the rest of my life.”
Shuri closes her eyes and breathes, “I haven’t told him that I am pregnant. Are you interested in being a father? Could you love a child that is not yours?”
Namor thinks. He is a great uncle, his niblings adore him and Okoye told him he would be a good father. He has enough love in his heart for kids. Any child would be half Shuri, and he is already half in love with her.
“I am good with kids. You can ask my sister-in-law. They love me. I always thought I would be a father when I settled down and found the right person. I would love any child of you, they would be our child.”
Shuri takes her hand away to cover her face. Her back is moving up and down like she is crying.
“Hey Shuri,” he says softly, “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Maybe he laid it on a little too thick. But his mother always told them, “You have to be proactive with what you want.”
He wants Shuri.
When she moves her hands from her face, she is crying, but she is also laughing.
“You are so ridiculous. You wake up from a coma and plan to wrestle me away from my loving husband.”
She kisses his forehead.
He is not sure if he is blushing, but his body is heating up. The moment is ruined when his stomach growls.
She sets off the bed, opens the bag on the cart, and fixes him a plate of food. Setting the food on his lap, she moves back to the chair, waiting for him to eat. It is an Arroz con Pollo plate with tostones on the side. The smell is familiar, but the taste leaves no doubt.
“Is this from Luna y Sol?” he asks, mouth full and going for another bite.
“Yes.”
“You got my favorite meal?!” This is a sign that Shuri needed to be his wife yesterday. The gods have spoken through this food and into his heart.
“Of course, I did. Enjoy.”
He does. Namor tries to slow down, so he doesn’t choke. The food is just as good as he remembers it.
Shuri is on her phone, texting someone and trying to hold back a smile. He wonders who she is talking to.
There is a little knock on the door that startles them both. A black-haired nurse comes in, delighted to see Namor awake.
“Hello, Mr. Almehen. I am here to check your vital signs.”
Shuri removes the food from his lap, places it back on the cart, and sits back down in the chair. The nurse looks at Shuri, “Did you need a visitor bed, Mrs. Almehen?”
“Please, if you can spare one. I wouldn't mind spending the night in comfort.” Shuri jokes.
The nurse laughs as she checks on Namor. Namor is stunned, Shuri is going to be spending the night with him? Everything is going too well. He might still be asleep.
The nurse is chatty, she asks him to lift his arms and tells him to try walking. Getting out of bed, he stumbles but holds on to the bed railing until the pins and needles sensation through his legs ceases. He takes a few steps towards the nurse and back, he feels her stare at the rear opening of his gown when his back is turned. He still has it. Namor takes a quick look at Shuri, but she is enraptured by her phone. Sighing, he walks back and forth for five passes and the nurse writes something on his chart.
“Any pain or discomfort?”
“No.”
“Good job, Mr. Almehen. Looks like you don’t need physical therapy. Honestly, I came in here because I could smell the food down the hall.” She gestures to the food longingly. “Isn’t it nice that your wife brought you some outside food? Hospital food is not fine dining, as you know, but it gets the job done.” The nurse shrugs, watching Namor get back in bed.
“Someone will be here later to remove your catheter. Lucky duck,” she catches herself.
Shuri laughs quietly into her hands.
The nurse leaves and the room is silent. Shuri returns to sitting on the side of the bed.
“That is good news, right?” Shuri asks.
Namor nods. He is lost in thought. That nurse said a lot of things. While he is definitely not looking forward to the catheter removal. She also called Shuri his wife. His wife, Mrs. Almehen.
“Mrs. Almehen, huh?”
“That is my name.” She grins at him.
“You are my gorgeous wife.”
She tosses her hair back, considering him, “You are my husband. My foolhardy husband.”
“I can remedy that.”
She takes his head in her hands and kisses him softly on the lips. He deepens the kiss, and she allows his tongue in her mouth. He tries to remember the shape of her mouth and her taste, but it all feels new. She nips at his bottom lip as she removes her mouth away. He tries to follow her. She shakes her head, “We can’t have you getting too excited. Especially when you still have a catheter in.”
Namor cools a bit at the mention of the infernal catheter, “When they take it out. We have all night to be re-acquainted with each other.”
Shuri rolls her eyes, “Namor, I am not fucking you in this hospital. Knowing your luck, it will be on TMZ by the next morning.”
Namor pouts.
He can’t want to return home and experience life with this beautiful woman.
Extra:
Namor can't fall asleep, he keeps trying to think about ways to get his memories back. He is frustrated. Shuri is sleeping peacefully on the next bed. Maybe if he stares hard enough, the memories will appear like magic. He sighs, closing his eyes. Something is niggling at the edge of his consciousness, something Shuri said.
What is it?
His eyes widen, when he realizes it.
He is going to be a father!!
Namor is now wide awake.