I'm Really Not Fine At All

7. Never Slip Away

Chris ushered Street into their house and was greeted by a happy Rocky.

"Hey, buddy," Street said brightly.

"Down, boy! Street has to rest!" Chris commanded to the dog firmly but lovingly.

Rocky stopped barking, but followed the couple into their bedroom.

"Take a seat, and I'll get you some water," she said.

"Chris, you really didn't have to invite me here, and you don't have to take care of me. The doctors said it was just some minor smoke inhalation," he replied.

"I don't have to, but I want to...because, it's sorta for selfish reasons," she admitted guiltily.

"Because you wanted to get me alone? You could've just said so," he responded mischievously.

"Street, I'm being serious...I wanted to talk to you about my amnesia."

"What about it?"

"It's been almost a month since I lost my memories, and...and I've gotten a few small moments back, but I don't think I'm ever gonna remember everything."

"You don't know that for sure. You just need to have a little faith," he insisted.

"I'm trying to be practical. I think I need to accept the fact that the last 7 years are gonna stay mostly blank in my head."

"Okay, so why do you want to talk about it with me?"

She took a deep breath before saying, "I know it's been hard on me with all this weirdness between us, but I also know you've been struggling, too, and I don't want you to feel obligated to be...with me."

"Chris, I don't feel obligated to be with you. I love you."

"You love the person you used to know, but she's not here, and I don't think she's coming back."

"Then I'll love the new version of you."

"You can't know that."

"I do. I fell for you from the moment I met you, and it never mattered what happened between us, or if we were seeing other people, or whatever, that connection was always there. You can't tell me you don't feel it."

"Whatever there is between us right now, it isn't the relationship we had before the amnesia."

"I don't care. Maybe we'll get back to that or maybe we'll have a new kind of relationship. I really don't care."

"What if the new relationship is platonic?" She asked shyly.

"You can't be serious!" He said in disbelief.

"Street..."

"No! Don't do this. Please, Chris!" He begged.

"I..." she started, but she was interrupted by rapid knocking at the door.

"I'll go get it," Street said plainly and left the room to answer the door.

Chris followed him to find Luca standing in the doorway.

"Luca, now really isn't a good time," Street said, somewhat annoyed.

"Really sorry to interrupt, you guys, but this is really important!" Luca insisted and walked into the living room.

"What's going on?" Chris asked.

"I sorta messed up, and I am so sorry!" Luca apologized.

"What did you do?" Street inquired.

"I...I...well...I found this in my locker. Looks like I forgot to fill out and submit your marriage license," Luca confessed and bit his lip.

"We never signed our marriage license?" Chris asked.