Chapter 4
"How are you feeling, honey?" my mom asked once Noah left the room. She sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed my knee.
"Everything all at once. I have a headache, and knowing that I have a husband and a child, but can't remember any of it, is making the headache even worse. How could I not remember something like that? You know about my crush on Noah, and the fact that he is my husband is crazy. What am I supposed to do? What if I never remember him or Nia again? There are so many questions and so much confusion."
I dropped back onto the pillows and closed my eyes. I felt the tears falling and didn't have the strength to wipe them away. I had no idea who I was anymore, and it was scary.
"I know it's a lot, but you have a great support system behind you. Noah already made it clear that he will be there for you. Nia is so young that she probably will never even know that this has happened unless you and Noah choose to tell her. It's easier said than done, but in time, everything will work out. We have to take it one day at a time. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask."
I sat up and hugged my mom. "Mommy, I'm so scared," I cried.
She ran her hand up and down my back. "Shh, don't stress yourself, honey. It may not be permanent, and if, by chance, it is, we will create new memories. All we can do right now is support you and pray about it. You are strong, and you have God in your corner."
I wanted to believe what she said, but it was hard. I don't know what happened in my life from the age of seventeen to now, which was mind-blowing. It was like the last fourteen years were blank. Absolutely nothing came to mind, and it made me sad all over again.
My mother and I separated when the door opened.
"Oh my God, twin!" My sister cried as she ran toward me. She rushed to the bed and wrapped me in her arms.
I cried again because the last thing I remembered was her and me talking about going to the prom.
It took Carlie a long time before she released me, but she held my hand as she sat on the opposite side of the bed from my mother.
"I'm glad to see that you are up and talking. I was so worried when you passed out, and the doctors didn't know what happened. I felt your pain, and I cried. I've been crying since last night." She pulled me into her arms again. "I wouldn't have known what to do if I lost you." Her voice trembled, and I felt tears hit my arm.
Her crying turned into me crying once again. My headache had worsened, but I didn't want to tell my family to leave.
"It's a good thing you don't have to worry about that," I teased. I wanted to lighten up the mood in the room, especially before Noah brought our daughter here. I didn't want my sadness to rub off on her, and I knew how sensitive kids were to their mothers' emotions.
"I'm going to go check on everyone else," my mother announced as she stood.
"Only Dad and Bobby are still here. The team left and said they'd check in with Noah in a couple of days. Noah's dad and his aunt left too."
I looked back and forth between my mom and sister because I didn't know who they were talking about. Who the heck was Bobby, and what team?
My mom walked to the head of the bed and leaned down to kiss the top of my head. "I'll be back in a little bit. I'm sure your Dad is worried, so I want to update him," she explained.
"Okay. He can come in if he wants," I told her.
I was glad the rest of the people left since I didn't know them, and trying to figure out who they were would have probably overwhelmed me.
"Okay. I'll give you and your sister some time to talk before Noah gets back." She kissed the top of my head again before leaving the room.
My sister climbed into the bed with me and rested her head on my shoulder. It was something we did often when we were younger. She was my best friend, and we went through everything together… at least the things I could remember.
I let her get comfortable before I asked my first question. "Who is Bobby?"
"Bobby is my husband. We have been married for five years. I actually met him at one of your boxing matches."
I turned my head to look at her. "I'm a real deal boxer? Noah said something about it, and that's why I'm in the hospital now, but I just can't believe it."
Carlie grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I looked around the room and noticed a bouquet on the table that I hadn't noticed before.
"Not only are you a real deal boxer, but you are the middleweight champion of the world, belt and all." My sister had such a big smile on her face, and it made me smile.
I could tell she was proud of me. Being the champion was a big deal, but I didn't think I would ever achieve that title again. I wasn't sure I would even fight again. I wasn't sure of anything at the moment.
"Wow." That was the only thing I could say because I couldn't believe it. I remember training when I was younger and studying fights with my dad all the time but not fighting professionally. "You said something about a team. Who are they?"
"The team that helps you prepare for fights. You have a coach, a cutman, and multiple people who help you in the ring and behind the scenes. You are a big deal, sis. You have millions of followers on social media. You've been on different news stations and podcasts. You name it, and you've done it. Do you remember Evander? Noah's cousin." I nodded. "Well, he's your trainer."
It was all too much information. I remembered Evander from high school, but how did he become my trainer? I was still trying to figure out how Noah became my husband.
"Evander is my trainer, and Noah is my husband. How?"
"Can you believe it?" Carlie sat up. "You crushed on Noah hard, but y'all didn't start dating until you were eighteen. He and Evander opened a gym, and they both trained you. Noah only stopped after he became a stay-at-home dad. He wanted to support your career, so he stepped up when you wanted to get back in the ring. He's so good to you and Nia."
How could I not remember any of it if we dated for that long? I'm sure there had to be something I remembered, and I tried, but I kept coming up blank.
"Can you tell me about Nia?" I hesitated for some reason. I shouldn't have to ask someone else to tell me about my child.
Carlie's face lit up again. "Aww, Twin, Nia's just like you and looks just like you. She's so smart and becoming independent. You and Noah are doing such a good job with her. And she'll be a big cousin soon."
It took me a second to register what Carlie said, but when I did, my eyes widened. "Oh my God. You're, you're pregnant?" I would have shouted if my head weren't hurting so badly.
Carlie nodded her head and put her finger over her mouth. "Yes, but nobody knows yet but you and Bobby. It's only the first trimester, and we wanted to wait to let anyone else know. I figured now would be a good time to tell you."
I started to cry again, but they were happy tears. Ever since we were in high school, Carlie and I talked about having kids. We wanted our kids to grow up together, but it seemed as though I'd gotten a head start. Still, that didn't mean our children couldn't be the best of friends like we were. I just hoped I'd get my memory back by the time she had the baby or babies. The chances of her having twins were high.
"Congratulations, and your secret is safe with me," I assured her as I wiped the tears from my eyes.
There was a knock at the door, and I looked at Carlie. If I had to guess, it was Noah.
"Come in," I called out.
The door opened, and my heart raced when Noah came through, holding a little girl.
Noah looked hesitant as they walked closer to the bed. Her head was on his shoulder, so I wasn't sure she knew where she was. I couldn't recall a time when I had felt so nervous.
Noah's eyes on me made my heart flutter. I remembered how he looked in high school, but he had grown up. He’d gotten beefy over the years. His hair was shaved on the sides, but he had locs braided into four braids at the top. And good God, his beard was so full and shiny. I spotted a few strands of gray, but that was the only indication that he had aged.
He licked his dark lips when he got closer, and heat rushed to my cheeks. I may not have remembered anything about our marriage, but I could appreciate how fine he was.
I watched him as he tapped the little girl on her back, and she looked up.
"There's your mommy, Nia."
I couldn't hold back my emotions when she turned and looked at me. "Mommy!" She tried her best to get out of her father's arms.
He put her down on the bed. "Be careful, Nia. Remember, I told you mommy got hurt." She looked at him and nodded, then came over to me.
My heart melted when she wrapped her arms around my neck. Instinctively, I pulled her into my arms and squeezed as much as I could without hurting her. Call it a mother's intuition, but I felt a strong connection to her even though I remembered nothing about her.
"Are you okay, Mommy?" Nia wiggled in my arms and sat on my lap.
I ran my hand over her curly hair and looked down at her. She looked just like me, but she had Noah's eyes.
Noah's eyes were filled with concern when he looked at me again as tears streamed down my face. I wasn't okay, but I couldn't tell Nia that because she wouldn't understand. I had to be strong for her.
I plastered on the biggest smile that I could. "Yes, Mommy is perfect."
I hugged her and looked up at Noah. He smiled at me and winked, but I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. I wasn't sure how we would get through this, but I was determined to do everything possible to recover my memories.