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The first thing Rover remembered after waking was Luuk's face.
Not his name.
Not their history.
Not the countless moments they had apparently shared.
Just his face.
There was something in his eyes whenever he looked at her something unbearably tender, mixed with a sadness she couldn't understand.
She had been told that they had loved each other.
That they had fought beside each other.
That they had built a life together.
And yet, when Rover looked at Luuk, there was only an empty space where all those memories should have been.
It frustrated her.
It frustrated him even more.
But Luuk never pressured her.
He stayed beside her.
Every day.
He brought her food when she forgot to eat. He sat with her when she couldn't sleep. He answered the same questions no matter how many times she asked them.
And sometimes, when he thought she wasn't looking, Rover caught him staring at the ring on her finger.
Her old wedding ring.
She didn't remember putting it there.
But she couldn't bring herself to remove it.
One evening, Rover found Luuk sitting alone beneath the fading light.
She approached slowly.
"Luuk?"
He looked up immediately.
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
Rover sat beside him.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she looked down at the ring.
"You said we were married."
Luuk's expression softened.
"We were."
"Are."
His breath caught.
Rover looked at him.
"I mean... if I don't remember, does that mean we're still married?"
Luuk swallowed.
"Technically, yes."
She nodded slowly.
Then came the question he wasn't prepared for.
"Would you marry me again?"
Luuk froze.
Rover's cheeks immediately became pink.
"I know it sounds strange."
"Rover..."
"I don't remember our wedding. I don't remember what you said to me. I don't remember what I felt."
She looked at him with a small, vulnerable smile.
"But every time I'm with you, I feel like I'm supposed to be here."
Luuk's eyes lowered.
"And I want to spend more time with you."
His hands tightened against his knees.
"Even if I don't remember everything."
She reached for his hand.
"So..."
Her voice became almost shy.
"Would you marry me again?"
Something inside Luuk snapped.
He turned toward her, caught her face between his hands, and kissed her.
It wasn't gentle.
It wasn't careful.
It was desperate.
Months of fear, longing, grief and love poured into that single kiss.
Rover gasped against his lips, startled by the intensity.
Luuk pulled back only far enough to breathe.
His forehead rested against hers.
"Don't say things like that unless you mean them."
"I do."
"You don't remember me."
"I know."
"You don't remember loving me."
"I know."
His thumb trembled against her cheek.
"And you still want me?"
Rover's eyes softened.
"I think..."
She smiled.
"I might be falling in love with you all over again."
Luuk closed his eyes.
A broken laugh escaped him.
"You have no idea what you're doing to me."
"Maybe I do."
She leaned closer.
"And maybe that's why I asked."
His eyes opened.
There was something possessive in his expression now—not threatening, but raw. The kind of emotion that came from nearly losing someone and being given another chance.
He kissed her again.
This time slower.
But no less intense.
His arms wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her as though he needed to convince himself she was real.
Rover melted against him.
When they finally separated, she whispered:
"So... is that a yes?"
Luuk stared at her.
Then he smiled.
"Yes."
He kissed her forehead.
"I'll marry you again."
Rover smiled.
"And this time..."
She touched his cheek.
"I'll remember."
Luuk shook his head gently.
"You don't have to."
He took her hand and kissed the ring she still wore.
"We'll make new memories."
Rover rested her head against his chest.
And for the first time since waking without her past, she felt something she couldn't explain.
Not a memory.
Something better.
A beginning.