After watching the sunset, I got the courage to get up and go inside. Luckily no more memories assaulted me so I was able to enjoy the inside of the beautiful home we would be staying in. Tomorrow in the daylight we were going to go check out the lighthouse, but I wanted to do that during the day when I could really enjoy it. We made some pizzas for a quick dinner and enjoyed watching a movie about the Titanic together. I didn't make it halfway through when I fell asleep.
The next morning, I woke up sleeping on Erics lap. We were both still on the couch right where we had been the night before.
"Hey, how are you feeling this morning?"
"I'm better, I think." I said then laughed at my response. "It's easier now that I remember but harder also. If that makes any sense. It's hard to really explain how I feel with everything."
"I bet. I would say I'm sorry, but to be honest I'm only sorry that it hurts you. But I am happy that you remember."
"I know. I'm glad I remember too. I feel like the pieces are slowly coming together now. And I think I remember my parents. I'm just not 100% its them. You know? Like what if I'm remembering someone else."
"Hey, I have an idea Perri. What if when my mom comes up, I ask her to bring some old photos with her? I'm sure she has plenty with your mom and dad. Do you want me to ask her?"
"Yes, I do. I would like that very much Eric thank you."
"Not a problem I'd do anything for you Perri. Now I better go take a shower then I'll start on breakfast."
"Alright I'm gonna go make a cappuccino and sit outside for a few minutes. Let me know when you are done in the shower then I will hop in."
"Ok enjoy the view of the ocean while you're out there."
"OH, I will" I laughed as I headed to the kitchen.
I walked outside and found the bench near the lighthouse and sat down to look over the ocean. I vaguely remember sitting out here with my dad in the early mornings. He would be drinking coffee, and I would have hot chocolate. I would normally have a sketchbook with me and try drawing whatever came to mind. I thought about going inside to get my art supplies, but I was too lazy to move. Besides, I was going to be here for several weeks so I would have plenty of time to draw. Right now, I just wanted to enjoy the nice morning breeze. Today was a warmer morning for this time of year. It's not very often the temperature is 45 degrees in the beginning of November, which made it a nice time to be outside.
Oh, my goodness! I just realized we had only a little over two weeks left until Thanksgiving. I didn't want Eric to leave but I wasn't ready to go back yet. Besides I didn't know what I would be going back to. Which reminded me I fell asleep without charging my phone last night, so I had no idea if my mom had tried calling me or not.
I heard the door open behind me and I turned to see Eric walking out of the house.
"Hey, I'm done if you want to get in. What do you want for breakfast?"
"Are you going to leave Eric?"
"Woah! What do you mean am I going to leave? I don't plan on going anywhere, Perri. Why would you think that?"
"I didn't mean right now Eric. I meant I was just thinking about the fact that Thanksgiving is coming up and I didn't know what your plans were. I haven't checked my phone yet, so I have no idea what my mom is doing, and the way things are going right now being with her is the last thing I want."
"I guess I didn't really think about it all that much yet. I'll tough base with my mom when she comes to visit."
"Have you talked to her yet? Do you know when she is coming?"
"I actually just got off the phone with her before I came out here by you. She is planning on coming up on Monday afternoon. So, more of a lunch thing instead of dinner. Oh, and Monday is an in-service day for teachers so Colton has no school so he will be coming too."
"That will be fun. The three of us here again. We should play hide and seek for all the years I missed growing up."
"Yea we should! Colton is going to love this visit."
"What about you? Will you love playing with me again even though we are all grown up?"
He took his hand and lightly cupped my left jaw running his thumb across my cheek. "I know I'm going to love every minute I get to spend with you Periwinkle."
I knew I was blushing but with his hand on my face I couldn't hide from him. "Are you ever going to stop calling me Periwinkle?"
"Never! I love watching your face every time I say it. Besides I keep wanting to call you Chrissy, but I know that's not really who you are anymore."
He was right. If anyone tried calling me Chrissy or even Christine, I most likely would unintentionally ignore them.
"I know you are just starting to get your memories back, but do you remember when I gave you your locket?"
"I think so. At least some of it. We were sitting right here on this bench. And you waited until everyone else was busy to give it to me. If I am remembering correctly you had said 'this is so you will always know I love you and I will always take care of you and protect you.' Am I right?"
"Yes. That's why for a long time I blamed myself. I was actually supposed to stay that weekend with you and instead I made some new friends at school, so I decided to hang out with them instead. When I got home Sunday afternoon there were cops at my house. I walked in and Aunty Melinda was sitting on the couch while my mom held her. I heard her crying 'My baby, where's my baby?' And when they noticed I was standing there the cops took me into the kitchen and started asking me if I had seen you. When I wouldn't answer they told me you were gone, and they needed my help if I knew anything. I just kept shaking my head back and forth. Soon my mom came out and said 'Eric this is really important I need to know. When is the last time you saw Chrissy?' I told her the last time I saw you was on Friday. And when I asked Mom what had happened, she told me you were missing, and nobody could find you. I knew then that I had failed to protect you. If I had stayed with you, you would have still been there. I'm sorry Perri."
"Oh Eric!" This time I held his face in my hands. "What happened to me was not your fault. I willingly left with someone I thought I could trust. I didn't know that leaving with her would mean never seeing you again. You didn't fail me, Eric. She failed us both. Besides you found me. Well technically Colton found me. But it was you who helped me remember. It was you who gave me my memories back. And when the time is right, I know I can count on you to hold my hand when I meet my parents again. I know now I am Christine thanks to you. But I have been Perri for so long now I need to find a middle. And I know you will be right here to help me every step of the way."
Eric smiled "always Perri. I will be right here until you tell me otherwise. I won't let you go again."
Then he did something completely unexpected. Eric, my Eric, leaned over and gently kissed me. It was the best first kiss a girl could ask for. I never dreamed the little boy I fell in love with so many years ago would find me, rescue me, then kiss me. He kissed away all my worries and all my anxiety. And I kissed him back putting all my feelings of gratitude and love for the boy who never gave up on me into our kiss.