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It happens so quick, one minute Tim is trying to get Dara away from the men and then the next he feels some come up behind him and then everything goes black. And then it’s light again and he sees someone peering down at him with a worried expression on their face. They don’t look familiar to Tim but—
“Tim.” The person says and it’s soft almost a whisper. “Tim are you okay?” Tim sits up but someone gently pushes him down.
“Don’t get up sir.” A male voice says. “You may have a concussion. Just relax we will get you out of here.”
“What happened?” He asks. He looks at the woman who is still looking at him in concern. “Where’s Isabel?” The woman’s face falls a little bit and she reaches out to rub his arm but he flinches.
Why was she touching him?
Who was she?
“Isabel is fine Tim.” She says. “Dara is fine. We need to get you to the hospital.” Tim frowns and sits up again looking around and realizing he’s in an ambulance.
“Who are you?” He asks the woman whose face falls even more. “Why isn’t my wife with me?” The woman swallows and glances at the paramedics.
“Tim, I am your wife.” She says. “I’m Lucy.” Tim studies her trying to get her words through his head.
Lucy?
Isabel. Isabel was his wife.
“No. I’m married to Isabel. She asked me to help with—”
“She asked us to help.” Lucy corrects and reaches for his hand and then pulls back. “She came by the house remember? And you didn’t want me involved because—” She sits up a little bit and Tim looks over noticing her bump.
“You are pregnant?” He asks. He blinks a few times like he has just the missed the last few years of his life. And maybe he has, what the hell happened to Isabel?
“Yes. It’s your—our baby.” Lucy says and she looks like she’s about to cry.
“But—I don’t know who you are.” Tim says. “Isabel is my wife.” Lucy shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes as she looks at the paramedic desperately.
“He could have amnesia.” He says. “It sounds like he remembers stuff from years ago.”
Lucy nods and runs her fingers through his hair before she stops. “I’m sorry.” She says. “I just want my husband back.”
Tim looks away from her, and he wishes he could remember. He wishes he could tell her he remembers her but he just doesn’t.
“Where’s Isabel?” He asks again. “Is she meeting us at the hospital?” Lucy shakes her head and a tear leaks from her eyes and falls down her cheek.
“She’s at the station giving her statement.” Lucy says. Tim nods and then turns away from her and closes his eyes. He doesn’t know what’s happening but he knows this is a nightmare.
An absolute nightmare.
***
“Your wife is very upset.” A voice says from the doorway. Tim looks up and sees Angela standing there with her arms crossed her chest.
“Isabel?”
“Your other wife. Your pregnant wife.” Angela says. “She says you won’t let her in the room?”
Tim winces and plays with the blankets on his lap. He remembers getting to the hospital and Lucy following but then he told the nurse he didn’t want her inside the room. He felt bad but he needed to think.
“I don’t know who she is.” Tim says and Angela’s eyes widen a little. “She’s nice but—”
“She’s the love of your life. Your former rookie. The one who healed you after Isabel.” Angela says. “She’s the best thing that has ever happened to you.”
“I fell for my rookie?” Tim asks and he’s surprised to hear that. He usually washes his rookies out.
“Yes. Big time.” Angela says. “What did the doctor say?” Tim blows out a breath, his head is pounding and he feels a little sick to his stomach.
“I have a concussion and apparently mild amnesia that will go away but—” He pauses. “What if Lucy doesn’t want to see me after I pushed her away
“She loves you and she’s worried about you.” Angela says. “And she’s not leaving that waiting room until she knows you are okay.” Tim sighs softly looking down at his hands where he sees a black silicone band on his finger.
“I am married.” He says looking down at it. “Not to Isabel?”
“Not anymore.” Angela replies. “Look.” She pulls out her phone and gives it to him. There’s a picture of Lucy and Tim. Lucy is in a wedding dress looking at Tim like he hung all the stars in the sky. Tim is in a black suit looking like he just had the best day of his life.
He looks happy and in love.
“Wow.” He says and starts scrolling through the pictures. There’s many from what looks like his wedding. And in every single one he looks happy, and in every single one Lucy is right there next to him. “We look happy.”
“You are happy.” Angela says softly. “Extremely happy.” She reaches over for Tim’s phone on the side table and hands it to him. He taps on the screen and he sees him and Lucy holding up a ultrasound photo completely lost in each other.
“How could I forget this?” He asks. “I’m going to be a dad? How can I forget I’m in love?” Angela sighs and sits down next to the bed.
“You will remember Tim.” Angela says softly. “But trust me I say you have a good life. And Lucy is not just going to give up on you.”
Tim swallows hard and he looks down at the phone again. He really hopes he remembers this life soon. He hopes he remembers Lucy soon.
***
There’s a knock on the door sometime later and Tim looks up and sees Isabel walk in the room. He has been going through his photos and they are mostly of Lucy and him. And just Lucy. The love of his life apparently.
“Hi Tim.” Isabel says. Tim drops the phone and flips it over as she walks over to the bed. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”
Tim shrugs his shoulders as she sits down next to him. “It’s fine.” He says.
“I heard you were asking for me.” She says and she looks hopeful like she was expecting this.
“I was.” He says. “But I don’t remember anything. I know we aren’t together.”
“I heard.” Isabel says her shoulders falling. “But you don’t remember Lucy?” Tim blows out a breath thinking of their wedding photos, all their selfies, the candid photos he apparently snaps of her all the time.
“I’m getting there.” He says. “She’s having my baby so—”
“I heard that too.” Isabel says looking a little bitter. “How do you know it’s yours?” Tim stares at her a little bewildered.
“I don’t think she would lie to me about that.” He says.
“But you don’t remember her.” She points out. “She could be using you.” Tim picks up his phone and shows Isabel his Lock Screen.
“She’s not lying.” He says. “I may not remember right now but it’s short term. I will remember.”
“Tim?” Another voice says and he looks up to see Lucy standing in the doorway. Her eyes dart to Isabel and then back to him. “I-I was just checking in.” Isabel stands up and turns to face Lucy.
“He’s fine.” She says. “You don’t have to stay here.” Lucy swallows looking like she’s about to cry again.
“Okay.” She says. “You are right.” Tim’s stomach drops and he realizes he doesn’t want her to leave. She looks at him and gives him a soft smile before she’s turning away.
“Wait.” He says. “You deserve someone who is worth the effort.” Lucy freezes and turns to face him.
“What?”
“We are worth the risk.” He says. “Please stay.” Lucy looks at Isabel who is glaring at her.
“You want me to stay?” She asks her voice shaking. Tim nods and looks at Isabel, he may not remember Lucy but he also doesn’t believe Isabel.
“Yes.” He says. “I want to hear our story.” Lucy’s eyes fill with tears and she takes a shaky breath in.
“I can do that.” She whispers. Tim nods and turns to Isabel, who shifts on her feet and glares at Lucy some more.
“What?”
“You can leave now.” Tim says. “I want to talk to Lucy.” But Isabel doesn’t move just turns to Lucy with a frown on her face.
“He doesn’t remember you. I wouldn’t want to be in your position right now.” She says and then turns to Tim. “You remember me. I would put in the effort too.”
Tim just shrugs and Isabel huffs out a breath and then turns to leave the room rudely bumping into Lucy as she leaves. Once she’s gone and out of ear shot Tim turns to look at Lucy.
“It’s like we didn’t just help her or something.” Lucy says shaking her head. Tim nods his head and motions her to come closer.
“Listen I don’t remember our relationship. I don’t remember dating you or marrying you. Or—” He gestures to her bump and she flushes red a little. “But I want to remember. I do.”
“Okay.” Lucy says talking a seat next to the bed. “Where do you want me to start?”
“The beginning.” Tim says. “The very beginning.” Lucy nods and smiles at him leaning back in her seat.
“You were my training officer. You were a pain in my ass but I respected you—eventually.” She says. “You called me boot all the time. I have flashbacks whenever I go shoe shopping.”
“Oh?”
“I gave you little boots to announce our baby.” She says softly. “You rolled your eyes but you thought it was cute.”
“I like that.” He says and he wishes nothing more than to remember this life. To remember Lucy and their life together.
“I know.” She says. “It took you awhile to warm up to me but you did. You saved me from a barrel. You brought me back to life.” Tim blinks at her and she leans forward a little.
“I did?”
“You did.” She confirms. Tim nods his head and bites his lip a little.
“What else?” He asks curiously. Lucy takes a big breath and lets it out.
“We had our ups and downs. You dated this lifeguard and I dated a lawyer. We went on an undercover operation together.” She says and Tim looks at her curiously.
“Really?”
“Yeah.” She says and she’s smiling a little. “You were sleazy.” Tim frowns and she rubs his arm a little.
“What else?” Tim asks curiously. He wants to know everything. He’s so curious on how they got together.
“During the operation our personas were dating.” She says. “And we had to practice. You know kissing.”
“Seems logical.”
“Right.” Lucy says and she ducks her head down. “I kissed you first—for practice and then again because I—” She gets a faraway look in her eyes.
“What?”
“I didn’t want to admit to myself that I was falling for you but I was.” She says. “Big time. We kissed on the plane and you questioned me about it later.”
“Oh?”
“I lied.” She says. “I told you this before but I lied. It wasn’t pretend to me and it never was. But I was scared.”
“How did we get together?” Tim asks. Lucy ducks her head down again and then looks up at him with tears in her eyes.
“You asked me out and I said yes. You called me on my bullshit. You said I deserved someone who was worth the effort. You told me it was worth the risk.” She says. “I said yes and we never looked back.”
“Oh.”
“We got married a few months ago.” She says holding up her hand and showing him a white silicone ring that matches his. “We got pregnant and now—” She hangs her head again.
“I’m so sorry.” Tim says feeling more guilty than anything. He hates that he’s putting Lucy through this. She deserved better than this. He might no know her like he used to but he knows her.
“It’s not your fault Tim.” Lucy says but her voice is sad. “You got injured. You can’t help that you lost your memory.”
“I want to remember.” He whispers. Lucy grabs his hand and squeezes it. She has tears in her eyes as she brings it up to her mouth and kisses the center of his hand.
“I know.” She says just as softly and then dropping his hand. “I know you do.”
***
Tim wakes up suddenly but when he looks to his right he doesn’t see Lucy nor does he feel her warm presence. Instead he feels a cold presence and eyes staring down at him.
Isabel.
“Where’s Lucy?” Isabel asks him before he can say anything. “Did you get bored of her story and made her leave?”
“She went to get food.” Tim says. “She will be back.” He closes his eyes and remembers Lucy’s stomach rumbling and him insisting she go get something to eat.
“Why?” Isabel asks bitterness laced in her voice. “You don’t remember anything. How do you know she’s not lying.”
“She’s not.” Tim snaps and he’s getting tired of Isabel’s attitude. “Didn’t we just help you out?”
“You did.” Isabel says.
“A lot of good that did me.” Tim says. “I got a concussion and now I can’t remember my life.”
“Maybe it’s for the better.” Isabel says. “This could give us a second chance.” Tim stares at her, and his eyes goes to the doorway hoping to see Lucy.
“No.” He says. “I’m married and this is only short term. I will remember.”
“Whatever you say Tim.” Isabel says. Tim opens his mouth to say something but another voice interrupts him.
“Food is here.” The voice says. His eyes flicker towards the doorway hoping and he sees Lucy holding a big paper bag. He’s not sure what’s in it, but it smells delicious.
“Oh thank you.” Isabel says when Lucy walks over. She tries to take the bag but Lucy holds it out of reach. Isabel gives her a strange look and Tim has to bite his tongue from snapping at her. “That’s for me and Tim right?”
“No.” Lucy says and she moves to the other side of the bed. “I didn’t know you would be here.”
“Well I am.” Isabel says. “You can leave.” Tim looks at his now ex wife and then his current wife who is frowning deeply.
“You can leave.” Tim says to Isabel. “And don’t bother coming back. I’m taken care of.” He turns to look at Lucy who smiles at him but it’s half hearted. Isabel stares at him and glares at Lucy but neither of them waver.
“Fine.” Isabel snaps. “Have a nice life not remembering anything.” She turns on her heels and leaves. Tim turns to Lucy and she starts unpacking the bag.
“She’s pleasant.” Lucy says and Tim just shrugs and sits up a little. He watches as Lucy hands him certain containers and she freezes when she notices him looking at her.
“What?”
“You just know me.” He says. “My favorite foods. You just know everything about me. I know nothing about you.”
“Well you did—you do.” Lucy says leaning forward. “You just forgot for the time being.”
“Right.” He says. “Refresh my memory.”
“My favorite burger is a veggie burger with fries. And pickles.” She says. “You brought it to me after you saved me from barrel.”
“Oh?” Tim says. “Okay.”
“I love chai tea. Tea in general especially when I’m in my period. And I love your tea.” She says. “You always make it for me.”
“That’s nice.” He whispers. Lucy nods and gives him a soft smile.
“We didn’t sleep together right away. I wanted to get to know and when we finally did—”
“Did I mess it up?” He asks a little scared of her answer. Lucy shakes her head, and leans in a smirk on her face.
“It was the best I ever had. The best I will ever have.” She says. “You are the most important relationship in my life.”
“Really?”
“Yes Tim.” Lucy says softly. “You are my best friend, my husband, the father of my child. But even before all that—you were important. And you always will be.”
“I’m sure I would say the same about you.” He says.
“You did. In your vows.” She says and reaches for his hand again. “I know you love me.”
“I know I could love you. I believe you. Everything you are saying, I believe you.” He says.
“I know.” She says. “I’m not going to leave you Tim. We will get through this together. However long it takes.”
“Promise?” He asks and it might sound a little silly. But he wants to know she would be by his side.
“I promise.”
***
“What am I suppose to do if he doesn’t remember?” Tim hears Lucy ask. “A-am I suppose to just move out? I don’t want to intrude.”
“You do whatever you both feel comfortable with.” The doctor says. “You have been by his side since the beginning and he knows that. Just keep being by his side.”
“Okay.” Lucy says but she sounds so sad and hopeless. And he can’t help but think it’s all his fault.
He doesn’t remember. He doesn’t remember their life.
He just wants to remember again. He wants his life back. His real life.
***
Tim is in a white room and he looks around. It’s surrounded by pictures, images of him and Lucy. They are pictures of when they were Rookie and training Officer. When they were undercover—and on their first date.
Every single picture is clear as day. He sees himself happy, and in love. He sees Lucy handing him the little boots and him spinning her around. He sees their wedding day and everything else before and after.
He remembers it all, it’s in his head and taking over his entire body. He feels Lucy’s lips on his and on his body.
He remembers it.
He remembers it all.
***
Tim awakes with a start, his brain is still a little fuzzy but he remembers. He remembers Lucy, and his life with Lucy.
He remembers it all.
“Lucy!” He calls out and he has no idea if she’s hear but he needs to see her. He needs to feel her and have her close to him. “Lucy!” Lucy comes running into the room looking startled—the doctor is behind her.
“What’s wrong?” She asks looking worried.
“When you kissed me on the plane, I pulled you into the bathroom because Rosalind Dyer escaped.” He says. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Yes.” Lucy whispers. “But—”
“You said it was basic biology later.” He says. “I know you were scared but it broke my heart a little.”
“Oh my god.” She says. “Tim—”
“I asked you to marry me where we had our redo date. And your engagement ring was almost stolen by a punk on roller skates.” He says. Lucy lets out a wet sob and nods her head and then hurries over to him launching herself into his arms.
He holds her tightly and buries his nose in her neck. He remembers her smell and the way her body feels against his body.
“You remember.” She whispers pulling back and cupping his face. “You remember.”
“I do.” He says. “I remember Lucy. I don’t know how I could ever forget you. But I remember you.”
Lucy just shakes her head, and presses her nose back into his neck. “Thank god.” She says. “I missed you so much. I was so worried about you.” Tim hums softly and lifts her head up and wipes the tears from her face.
“There’s one more thing.” He says. “That I remember. It’s really important.” Lucy chews on her bottom lip and tilts her head at him.
“What’s that?”
“I love you.” He says. “You are the love of my life. And I’m so grateful that we have this life together.”
“That’s more than one thing.” She whispers and he huffs out a laugh. He shrugs his shoulders and wipes more tears from his face.
“I know.” He says. “I just wanted to let you know. It was important.” Lucy laughs and pulls him in. She presses her forehead against his and then her lips are on his. Tim melts into the kiss because he remembers this too.
“I love you too.” She says. “I’m glad you remember me. I’m glad you remember us.” Tim nods and it takes everything in him not to jump out of bed and escape from the hospital with his wife. The love of his life. His everything.
He remembers.
He remembers.
“Me too.” He says and a giants smile appears on her face for the first time in a while. “Me too.” He wouldn’t trade this life for anything and he’s so glad he remembers so he can live the rest of his life with Lucy.
Forever.