Chapter 6
I woke up slightly confused about where I was and how I had gotten there. It took a few minutes to remember that I was in the home I shared with Noah and our daughter. The sun beamed through the window, so I knew it was a different day, but I had no idea what time it was. I was alone in the room, but I smelled food cooking and assumed Noah was fixing something.
Noah woke me up for dinner the night before, but I told him I wasn't hungry. He kissed me on the forehead and left me alone. I wasn't sure if he slept in the room with me because his side of the bed was cold. I couldn't imagine how he felt being around me, and me not remembering anything about him.
I looked toward the table near the bed and spotted a picture of Noah and me at what I imagined was our wedding day. I picked up the picture and stared at it. Noah and I looked so happy, and I couldn't get over the fact that we were married. I ran my fingers over Noah's handsome face. I could see the love he had for me in the way he smiled and looked at me. I wondered if he still felt the same way now.
My bladder screamed at me, so I placed the picture back on the table and swung my legs to the side of the bed. A pair of slippers was near the bed, so I slid my feet into them and stood. The minute I stood up, I got a little dizzy, so I braced myself, but it subsided after a few seconds. Once I got my bearings, I gingerly made my way to the adjoined bathroom.
I turned on the light, but it was a little too bright for me, so I turned it back off. I found it odd that there was a nightlight in here, but it came in handy. I used the bathroom and washed my hands. A washcloth and a toothbrush were on the counter, so I used those to wash my face and brush my teeth before leaving the bathroom.
"Oh, let me help you," Noah offered as I exited the bathroom.
I noticed a tray in his hand, but he quickly set it down and helped me to the bed.
"Thank you," I replied as I got back in bed.
Noah fluffed the pillows behind me and helped me sit up against them. I didn't need his help, but I didn't want to disappoint him and make him think I didn't need him. I noticed his eyes held the same love he had for me as they did in our wedding day picture.
"How are you feeling?" Noah asked once I got comfortable.
"I'm okay. I feel better than I did yesterday. I do have a slight headache. I also felt a little dizzy when I first got out of bed, but I'm okay now."
"I'm glad you are feeling better. I made you some breakfast and brought some pain medicine, just in case. You have a prescription but can also take Tylenol if it's not too bad. I was hoping we could eat together as well."
Noah walked across the room and got the tray from the dresser. It was then that I noticed there was another plate of food on the dresser. I watched him in awe, even more so since this was my husband. The same man I had a crush on for years. I wasn't sure if I would ever get over that fact.
"Of course, we can eat together."
Even though I didn't remember him, I felt extremely comfortable with Noah. I was happy that he wanted to share the space with me.
"I made your eggs sunny side up just like you like them."
I smiled as he put the tray over my lap. The eggs looked good. On the tray, there was bacon, toast, and a cup of fruit. Noah also gave me a cup of tea and some orange juice. The prescription bottle and the Tylenol sat in the corner.
"Thank you. I'll just take the Tylenol after I eat. I hope my head doesn't get too bad because I don't want to take the pain medicine again. It made me so sleepy. I apologize for not getting up for dinner."
Noah smiled at me and sat on the edge of the bed. He grabbed the prescription bottle and put it on the side of the bed near me.
"You don't have to apologize for that. The important thing is that you get rest and feel better. I put the food away, so if you want it for lunch, you can have it. I wanted to ask if you would be willing to go on a date with me tonight if you are feeling up to it."
I vowed to do what I could to get my memory back, and this date would be the perfect opportunity for Noah and me to reconnect. I could use a night out since I was in the hospital for a while. Maybe some outside air would do me some good.
"Yes, I'd like that."
"Cool. I talked to your sister, and she's going to come over and help you get ready."
"Did you know I would agree?" I asked as I put some eggs and bacon in my mouth.
Noah chuckled, and I loved the way it sounded.
"Nah, I didn't know for a fact, but I hoped you would. You've never told me no, but I understand things are different now."
I put down my fork and grabbed his hand. He looked down at our hands, then back at me. My pulse raced as Noah stared into my eyes.
"Things may be different, but I'm determined to make this work. I know this won't be easy for either of us, but if we work together, things will work out the way they are supposed to. Families stick together, right?"
Noah slid his fingers in between mine. I didn't even worry about eating the rest of my food because I was too busy trying to reconnect with my husband. Hopefully, one day soon, I would get used to having a husband and a baby.
Noah lifted our hands and kissed the back of mine.
"Families do stick together, and we are a family. There is nothing in this world that will change that. I love you so much, Carsyn. You don't have to say it back, but I just wanted you to know."
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I loved him, but I just couldn't yet. Yes, I may have had a crush on him, but I wasn't sure if I loved him. Deep in my heart, I felt like I did, but I was confused. How can I love someone I don’t know?
Noah rubbed his fingers over mine. “It’s okay, Care Bear. I know what’s in your heart even if your mouth can’t say it.” He winked, and my temperature rose.
“I’m sorry, Noah.”
“Stop apologizing. It’s okay. Trust me.”
His mouth said it was okay, but I could tell by the sad look in his eyes that he wished I had said it back or that things were different. We sat in silence for a minute or two, our hands still intertwined.
I didn’t want either of us to get too far into our heads, so I was the first to break the silence.
“Where’s Nia?”
“Today, she’s with your parents. Tomorrow she’ll go to my father’s house. Carlie is going to get her too. We wanted you to get acclimated to being here first. She can come home whenever you are ready. But not tonight, though, because we have a date.” He smirked.
“Okay. I feel like you may have told me that already. So…” I started apologizing again, but Noah’s look made me shut my mouth. It wasn’t angry, but I could tell he would say something about me apologizing again. “Anyway, where are we going?”
Noah’s face instantly lit up, and it made me feel good.
“I can’t tell you. Just know it will be somewhere special. Your day starts soon. I’m going to take the dishes downstairs and confirm with your sister. I have some other things to do, but I’ll see you tonight.”
I wasn’t sure what Noah had planned, but I looked forward to whatever it was.
“Okay. I’m going to take the Tylenol and rest a little before Carlie comes.”
“Good idea.”
Noah released my hand and removed the tray from my lap. As he did that, I took the Tylenol and got comfortable. Once I lay down, Noah stood by the bed and pulled the covers over me.
“I’ll see you soon.” He leaned over, kissed my forehead, and left the room.
“I’m so nervous.” A few hours later, my sister and I were in my bedroom, putting the finishing touches on my look for the evening. We spent the last few hours getting pampered.
“I understand. But let me tell you something.” Carlie turned me around to face her. “That man is in love with you. There is nothing to worry about when you are with him.”
“It’s crazy because I believe that, and I feel comfortable with Noah even if I’m not familiar with him. I only remember the teenage him. He was nice to me then, even when his girlfriend was a bitch.” My eyes rolled toward the ceiling.
Carlie laughed loudly. “She was, wasn’t she? You should have beat her ass just for shits and giggles. It’s not worth it, though. You got Noah, and she’s still trying to find a husband. Anyway, there is nothing for you to worry about. Go out with your husband and have fun. Ask him questions if you need to. If Mom or I felt like it would be a problem, we would have made you come with one of us. Noah has your best interest at heart.”
I wrapped my arms around my sister’s waist and hugged her. Carlie had always been my best friend, and it felt good to know we were still close. If anybody knew how to ease my nerves, it was her.
"I love you, sister. Thank you," I expressed and squeezed her tighter.
"I love you too. Stand up so I can see the final look." She stepped back to give me room to stand. "Beautiful, and Noah is going to love it." Carlie pulled me into her arms and held me for a second.
Once we separated, the doorbell rang.
"Who is at the door?" I asked Carlie.
She had the biggest smile on her face when she said, “Go find out."
My stomach felt like a swarm of butterflies was flying around as Carlie and I made our way downstairs. I would do what Carlie advised and try my best to enjoy my time with Noah. If my sister trusted him with me, and my parents seemed to be okay with him, I knew I was safe.