Page 69 of Forget Me Not

7Years Earlier

“I really think you should stop in and see him before we leave. Say goodbye,” I urge her, hauling everything she accumulated during her stay here at the hospital into the elevator.

“What would be the point? He won’t even know me. It would be like some strange girl walking up to you, telling you she loves you and sobbing all over you saying she’ll never see you again and have a nice life. How would you react?”

“I’d probably laugh.”

“Yeah, well, I’d punch her and tell her to back the crazy up.”

I blink, turning to look at her. That’s not exactly what I’d expected her to say. “Well, not everyone is as harsh as you. Besides, I can stand guard, make sure no one comes barging in to punch you. Just hold the crazy in and do it.”

“No.” She shakes her head; a painful expression seems set in stone on her pale face. She needs sunlight. I can barely even see her freckles anymore.

“Coop,” I nudge again, this time softer.

“It would be too hard, Gun,” she whispers under her breath as more people join us. Fourth floor, the ICU. Everyone walking in looks grim and hopeless. Not at all like the people you find at the next stop. Third floor, also known as the baby floor. Every time I’ve been to visit, I get sick with hope and happiness every time I make an involuntary stop there. Babies. A future. Family. All things I’ve never given any thoughts to. Never felt like I could afford to. But Cooper has. Maybe it’s time to remind her that it’s all still out there. Even if it’s not with Reed.

“Come on.” I take her hand and tug her through the crowd of passengers to the open floor as soon as we’re stopped.

“What are we doing here? This isn’t our floor.” She leans back into my grip, forcing me to drag her along.

“For weeks, I’ve been watching people come and go from this place, all of them glowing like they ate rainbows for breakfast. You and me, we need some of what they got. Let’s go find our fix.” I keep walking as I ramble on, searching the halls for signs to guide me into the right direction. Nursery. To the right.

A few feet more. And we’re there. Standing at that magic window, gazing down upon babies galore. I’ve never been a fan. Too much noise. And bodily fluids.

Even now, I’m not bothered enough to find out what all the fuss is about. All I care about is Cooper believing she can still have a fairy tale. A happy ever after. And if this is what that looks like to her, I want her to see it, to know that it’s real.

I hear her gasp and watch as one hand, the good hand, travels up along the glass, gently tracing a trail as her fingers move, hovering over each little bundle below. A single, silent tear rolls down her cheek.

“Think we’ll ever have this?” she asks.

“I think you can have whatever you want.” I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, massaging it, and tipping her head toward mine until it’s resting along my jaw, her hair catching in my stubble, I haven’t shaved in days. “You just can’t give up, Coop.”

She turns her head, big eyes red and scared, staring up at me. “Promise me you won’t ever disappear on me again.”

“I didn’t- “ I start to lie, but she stops me.

“Promise me, Gun. Promise me when I’m old and gray and looking for my glasses, I’ll find them sitting on your head beside me. You’re my best friend in the whole world. None of this will ever mean anything when it happens if you’re not there with me.”

“Cooper,” her name comes out on a painful breath. I could promise her forever a million times over. Just not the way she’s asking me to.

“No. I was going to get married.Married.And all I could think was, how is it possible this is my wedding day if Gun’s not here? It was all wrong. Everything was all wrong. And then...the accident. And...everything was all wrong, Gun. Promise me, you’ll be there. From now on. Promise me.”

I clasp my hand around her neck a little tighter, bringing us closer. I kiss her cheek, her temple, the top of her head and mutter, “I promise, Coop. I promise, I’ll be there.” She exhales a tear strained sob and curls into my chest, allowing me to wrap both my arms around her tightly. My heart pounds so hard I feel like it’s plastered over my skin, not buried at the core of my being. That’s what loving her feels like. My heart exposed and vulnerable, to her. Only her. She could make it implode any second of any day. And she doesn’t even know it.

Reed

Present Day

I’ve been taking on more work than I know what to do with just to keep busy. Busy is good. Trying to think and figure out my feelings and how in the hell I wound up in this situation, bad, all bad.

Kerri’s taken me in at her place for the time being, but considering she didn’t give me even a second to unpack before dragging Sam over to try and convince me that we were worth another shot, I’m pretty sure I won’t be staying for long.

A knock at my door catches my attention and I automatically abandon the file in my hands to glance up.

“Do you have a minute?” It’s Cooper. Her mouth drops into an awkward lopsided grin. “Or twenty?” Doesn’t matter how hurt or pissed I am, she’s still adorable.

“Of course.” I wonder if I’ll ever be able to say no to her. If I’ll ever have another chance to find out. “Please, come in. Have a seat.”

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