Page 10 of Please Remember

"And the doctors treating me are here. But you guys don't live here anymore, right? You moved out of town?"

Noel nods. "Yes, sweetheart."

"Does someone else live in the house I grew up in?"

"Yes."

Sighing, she looks at me. "I want to remember who I am. Jax's house was familiar to me. The only thing familiar to me, and I think I need be where I feel I have the best chance to regain everything before the basement. Since I don't have a childhood home to go to, Jax's house seems to be the best option. As long as that's okay with Jax."

"Of course," I say and breathe a sigh of relief. "It's your house, Allie. Your name is on it with me."

"You can't be serious, Allie," Karla says. "We're your parents."

"And, Dad... do I call you Dad? Father? Or are we progressive and use your first name?"

Smirking, Noel nods. "You call me Dad."

"Dad said I should trust my gut. My gut brought me to the house I apparently lived in before I was taken, and I think that's my ticket to remembering everything else. It's in town, which means it's easy for Detective Shields to reach me, and the doctors treating me are here. Moving away seems like a pretty big hassle for everyone involved."

Her mother scoffs and crosses her arms. "You're just as foolish as you've always been." Turning on her heel, she storms out of the room.

"Take care of her, Jax. I'm counting on you to make sure she's safe from whatever monster took her from us, you hear me?" Noel says.

His words confirm what I've always suspected. Her father never really believed I'd do anything to harm Allie, but he isn't the type to outwardly defy his wife. Not in front of others, anyway.

"I will, Noel. You know I'd die for her."

"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that. Do me a favor?"

I nod. "Anything."

"Pray for me. I'm going to need it."

I smirk and nod before looking at Allie. "You got it."

"I love you, sweetheart. I know you don't remember me, but I hope you can feel it's the truth."

She smiles. “I can, Dad. Good luck with Mom. Mother? Karla?"

"Mom," we tell her at the same time before he leaves.

"I'm not going to lie... that woman kind of scares me a little," Allie says.

"It's not an uncommon feeling, baby," I say, flopping into the chair by the bed and blowing out a shaky breath.

She's coming home to me. I'm not going to lose her. It's hard not to burst into tears right now, but I don't want to frighten her. This all feels like a weird dream.

Chapter Five

Laura

Iwalk into the hospital behind everyone else, and my entire body feels numb. Natalie holds my hand, sensing the only way a best friend can that I'm on the verge of a full meltdown. It feels like my entire world is about to crumble down around me, and the moment I see Jax, I know. Deep down, in my heart, I know it's over.

"He looks relaxed," Benji says. "That's a good sign. He hasn't relaxed since the night she vanished."

"Shut up, asshole," Natalie says, but he doesn't even acknowledge her. They never do.

Seth rushes up to Jax and grabs his shoulder. "What happened? How'd you find her?"

---