Waking up the next morning, my head is lightly pounding on the right side of my face. It's dull to the point that it is not painful, but enough to where it is uncomfortable.
Sitting up, my headache increases, and a soft whimper escapes my lips. Where did this headache come from?
The door slowly opens and Damon pops his head in. Concern is etched on his face and he is running his hands through his hair, a nervous tick of his. Seeing me awake, he walks over to the bed and takes my hand in his. His hold is gentle, but also strong.
"How are you feeling? Are you alright?"
Why is he asking me these questions? How does he know I have a headache? Didn't I just wake up? Confusion clouds my thoughts and I find myself trying to think back to last night. Everything comes up blank except for the one memory that I could never forget.
"Such a pretty flower."
This time, the memory lasts longer than just that sentence. I see Damon and me at the cabin, he puts a flower in my hair as we sit by the water just staring at each other and the sun's rays reflecting off of the small lake.
I feel like crying as this memory is finally revealed to me after such a long period of time. I have always seen the same short clip of a blurry face and masculine voice, but I could never place it. This makes me feel brand new, but at the same time, it makes me feel old. This happened before everything went down with the rival company. I remember. I remember!
"I remember. You called me a pretty flower when we were at the cabin. I was confused about why you said it, and you said that my name was Rose. I felt like an idiot for not getting it right away, but somehow it made me feel so special." My voice is but a whisper and my eyes are cast down to the bed.
Suddenly, after a few-seconds pause, he gathers me in his arms and gives me the tightest bear hug he has ever given me.
"I knew you would remember. I am so proud of you! I-I didn't know what to expect when I saw you last night. Brandon said not to worry, but he went through this before. You just passed out and no one could wake you. You don't know how much you scared me."
Wrapping my arms tighter around him, I don't say anything. I don't think anything needs to be said. This is a significant breakthrough. This is what we have all been waiting for. Now, even with last night's scare, Damon knows I am going to be okay. I know I am going to be okay.
Brandon comes into the room a few minutes later, a small pout on his face.
"I don't feel special anymore. I'm happy that you have your memories back, but I liked being the only one you could remember."
"Come here." Opening my arms, Brandon joins Damon and me on the bed, and I pull him into a hug. "We are definitely closer now, and for that, I am grateful that I remembered you first. You were always like a brother to me, and now you will always be the first one who helped me get better."
He pulls away, a smile on his face. "Thank you," he whispers as he places a small kiss on my forehead. He leaves after, calling that breakfast will be ready in ten minutes.
Looking over at Damon, he has a guarded look on his face.
"Uh- is everything okay?"
"Yea, everything is fine. Did I miss something between you and Brandon?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean exactly what I said. You and Brandon seem particularly close. I'm just curious if I missed something. Do you guys have something going on?"
Is he- is he asking if I am dating Brandon? What the hell is wrong with him?
"What exactly are you asking me? Brandon and I are friends, he is like my brother. He was the first one I was able to remember. For me, this gave us more of a connection, I will admit, but that is only because he was the first person who reminded me of the old me. He helped me realize that I am still here, I just have to work harder to remember who I am."
We sit there in awkward silence until Brandon calls us to come to eat breakfast. I get off the bed and leave first. Damon doesn't move from his position until a few minutes later when the table is set and Brandon and I have already filled out plates.
I cannot believe what he was asking. He said it like I was doing something wrong like I was betraying him. Which, how could I have known I was doing something wrong? I didn't remember anything.
"I would like to see Carol and Dave today. The last time I saw them I spent the majority of the time trying to place their face, and how they fit into my life. I would love to spend another day with them now that I remember who they are."
Brandon looks up from his food, a smile on his face. "I think that is a great idea. I know they would love that especially since we haven't been up there in a little while."
"Would you mind calling them after breakfast? I don't want to just show up there. I cannot wait to share the good news with them."
Energy and excitement flow through my body as I get ready for the day and pack for the weekend. I can't help the pep in my step and the broad smile on my face. Despite the rocky morning with Damon, my happiness cannot be stopped.
We are all in the car around an hour and a half later and hit the road. Damon is still quiet, but Brandon and I sing the whole way. This is what being normal feels like.
Pulling up to their house, a wave of nostalgia encases my body. I was first here before everything happened. A second time when I had no memories. And, finally, this time when I am on the progress of becoming a better version of the person I was. I'm reminded of the spa day with Carol, the family game night, the movies we watched, gossiping with Carol, eating home-cooked meals. I am reminded of what it is like to have a family that always supports you through everything.
I grab my small duffle bag and step out of the car. Damon is already up the driveway while Brandon goes around the car to walk with me.
I know I shouldn't be, but I am nervous. What if they don't like that I have my memories back? What if having my memories back changed me and they don't like that change? What if-
"Rose, calm down. You are worrying yourself for nothing. They love you like you were their daughter. They will be so ecstatic when you tell them about your memories."
"I know. I know, but I can't help but worry. They only knew me for a short period of time before everything and then they knew me only for a short period of time after and now that my memories are back, what if they don't like me? What if they think I am too much drama?
"I really like your parents, I consider them to be my parents too. I really don't know if I could handle them not wanting me in their lives or your's and Damon's lives."
"That's not going to happen so stop stressing yourself out and enjoy this. This is a moment for celebration, not doubt."
Stopping right before we walk up the stairs, I look at Brandon and give him a hug. He is always there for me when I need him, and even though we did not spend a lot of time before everything, he plays such a big part in my life after and that is what I need the most.
"Thank you."
Wrapping his own arms around me, we stand like that for a few seconds before breaking apart. I feel so much better now and ready to tell them the good news.
We get to the last stair as the door opens and a smiling Carol greets us. She pulls me into her famous bear hugs before Dave pulls me into another one. It is comforting, the hugs feel like protective shields.
"I am so glad to see all of you. It has been a while. What made you all decide to come today? Did anything happen?"
"I was hoping to sit down with you both for a minute." Seeing their faces drop, I scramble to rectify the way my statement may have sounded like bad news. "It's nothing bad. I would just rather sit down with you all."
We go into the living room and take a seat on the couch.
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly. "I- I have my memories back. Not 100%, but most of the, especially the important ones of you all."
Everyone sits in silence for a moment or two taking in the news. Carol is the first one to jump up and bring me into her arms, telling me how happy and proud of me she is. Dave is next. As Carol and Dave go to make a celebratory lunch, Brandon comes over and tells me "I told you so."
I knew he was right even when I was freaking out. I just needed that little push to have confidence in myself. I'm a little overwhelmed by their reactions, but I couldn't be more glad for their warmth and love.