What if she never does?
The thought is too terrifying to consider. Emily is strong. She will remember. She has too. What if the Emily that Conrad left decides that she wants nothing to do with me?
I squeeze my eyes closed before popping them back open to shake the thoughts out of my head. Emily is mumbling about how she can't believe Conrad would do this to her and how she doesn't remember the past three years. My heart aches for Sweetness.
The doctor walks in and explains in detail everything to Emily. She is good to go home. But will she want to return to our home?
“Daddy, am I supposed to go with this stranger?”
“Honey, he's not a stranger. Trust me, I wouldn't leave you in any one else's hands. Jake will take care of you until your memory returns. I'll be working around Charlotte for the next week. I'll be a phone call away.”
Sweetness looks at me and shrugs.
“At least he's good to look at.”
That brings a smile to my face.
“Let's get you home,” Mike says.
I've no choice but to let Sweetness ride with Mike back to my place. Emily is hesitant about riding with me. Who am I to blame her? Her memory needs to return soon though. I need her like I need air. My body would slowly, yet quickly, shut down without it.
Even in this state, Sweetness amazes me. She boldly walks around the apartment taking in all the pictures and items scattered about. Her fingertips trails over the door frame as she crosses into the bedroom.
“Only one,” she questions after returning moments later.
I nod. My eyes study Emily's as her eyes start at my feet and slowly make their way up my body. Catching me looking, scarlet creeps up her neck and spreads onto her cheeks. A smile captures my lips.
“Alright hon, I need to get going so I can catch some sleep. Call me if you need me.”
They embrace and Mike leaves us to ourselves. By her body language, I can see that Sweetness is uneasy. I attempt to soothe her.
“I'll sleep on the couch and you can have the bed. We don't have a lot of time before school starts back to get to know one another. Are you up for some talking or are you ready for bed?”
“I think I'll go to bed.”
“Your pajamas are in the third drawer down.”
“Thanks,” she calls over her shoulder as she disappears into our room.
I walk over to the closet and retrieve blankets and a pillow. I settle on the couch and close my eyes. An hour later and I'm still awake. Ever so softly, the sound of crying drifts to my ears. My first thought is that Emily may be having a nightmare. Would she still have them even though she has no recollection of the miscarriage?
I can't just sit here and listen to her cry. Tossing the covers aside, I silently walk to the bedroom. The door creaks open and the crying immediately stops.
“Sweetness, are you okay?”
No answer. I come closer and sit on the edge at head of the bed. Emily is facing away from me. She rolls over and buries her face in my stomach. Tears quickly soak my shirt. I slide my hand up and down her back in an effort to calm her.
“I'm sorry,” she cries.
“For what?” I ask quietly.
“I'm supposed to be your girlfriend and here I am crying over Conrad. I'm sorry I don't remember.”
“Don't worry. Cry all you need. You survived. You were able to move on and so was Conrad. You fell in love with me and you were happy.”
Sweetness delicately sits up and brings her knees to her chest. Her arms wrap around her legs and her chin rests between her kneecaps.
“What did I like about you?”