Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 101: Fragments

Hope looks around the room, taking in the details and hoping it would jog her memory, but it only vaguely feels familiar. No specific memories are drawn to the surface.

She can sense Josie's eyes on her, possibly hoping the same thing.

Hope politely compliments, "You have a lovely home."

Josie tries to fight the aching sensation she feels at her words, "We do...though I'm still in the process of moving in."

"This was my house before?"

Josie nods her head in confirmation, and Hope looks around again.

"Why don't we have any photos anywhere?" She figures photos might have helped her remember something.

Josie's not sure how to answer that without telling Hope about her past. Luckily she doesn't have to answer, their conversation being interrupted as the front door opens again, and in come Rebekah and Freya with their things from the hospital, "Alright we'll let you both get settled and try to get back to normal. If you need anything, we're just a phone call away."

Josie offers the Mikaelson witch a grateful smile and hug, "Thank you, Aunt Freya." Then she moves to give Rebekah a hug, and Freya's eyes go toward the Tribrid, who furrows her eyebrows as her eyes move toward the living room, specifically the couch.

She's not sure why she feels her chest suddenly clench, dread setting in. She's completely unknowing that she's experiencing the post traumatic symptoms of the traumas she has no active memory of now. It's like muscle memory, an automatic response.

She unknowingly follows her previous footsteps, rounding the side of the couch as her eyes remain on the piece of furniture, and her heart suddenly drops, feeling like she's unable to breathe.

It's shock. But the memory behind the emotion is far too fuzzy to understand why.

"Hope?" Josie cautiously approaches her, caressing her bicep to gain her attention.

She hears a barely audible gasp leave Hope's lips as she breaks out of the trance, turning to Josie. "Wh-What happened here?"

Roman. Josie shares a glance with both Rebekah and Freya, and the blonde witch clears her throat, quick to change the subject, "It's a little chilly this evening. Why don't we get the fireplace started for you?"

It's a rhetorical question as she's already gesturing for Rebekah to fetch firewood, which she returns with only five seconds later due to her vampire speed, and Freya casts a couple of spells, one to place the firewood and another to light a fire.

Hope grows frustrated with the obvious fact that they are keeping things from her. But her frustration dissipates quickly when the fire warms her skin and catches her gaze.

But the warmth she suddenly feels isn't entirely attributed to the fire's heat. It's from another fuzzy, barely-there memory. Fragments that almost feel like more of a dream than reality.

And Josie thinks she knows the memory sneaking up on Hope now, one that she can't help but smile about.

Hope turns to Josie, "Is this where I—"

"Proposed?" She nods, her smile growing, "Yes it is."

"You remember?" Rebekah asks excitedly.

Hope seems relieved, smiling softly as she nods, "I think so. It's a bit fuzzy. I only remember bits and pieces, but..."

"But you remember," Josie feels the slight pain in her cheeks from smiling so hard.

Hope smiles at how happy Josie seems suddenly, and because she finally has a tiny glimpse into the past and the love they shared.