A New Beginning

Chapter 14

Shiloh -

He doesn't remember anything. It's all gone.  I'm in utter and complete shock. He's a blank slate and Dr. Yuri wants to put him through a battery of tests later on this week but for today, he is just resting. He needs as much of that as he can get.  What shocks me more is that even though he has no memory of me, he refuses to let me go.  He becomes desperate if I try to leave his side.

I tried to leave not too long ago but he hand a total breakdown so they are bringing a cot for me to sleep on because right now, it's all about keeping Orion calm so he can continue to heal. Gran is on her way with an overnight bag for me but I think she wants to assess the situation for herself.  She is distrustful right now and with good reason but I know that he truly has no clue who or what I am to him.

I've not really had the chance to talk to him yet. Not since he woke up. He was too exhausted from all the activity around us and he didn't stay awake for too long afterwards. I don't care if I have to stay. I'm very okay with it.  This way I can keep my eye on him and make sure that he does wake again.

Telling Dr. Yuri that he felt safe with me here made the decision for him to allow me to stay very easy and honestly, it was a relief. I'm still in shock that he is conscious. Seeing his baby blues again stopped my heart momentarily but I am here, by his side ever vigilant.

I am pulled out of my thoughts when the door to the room opens and my grandmother walks in with her driver in tow carrying all manner of items. I let go of Orion's hand and walk over to them. Daniel turns to Gran and says, "Ma'am, I'll be waiting for you outside." "Good, I won't be too long."

As he turns to leave, I say to Gran, "What is all this?" "Well, knowing you, I assumed you have not eaten dinner yet so, along with a couple of days worth of clothing and essentials, I also brought you some dinner from home. Cook went a bit overboard." She responds with a loving smile.

"I'll say. But you know she just worries about me.  She has a bit of a soft spot when it comes to me and I'm not ashamed to say I like it." I say with a smile as well. "Well, we all do dear. Now, tell me how Orion is doing." "He's resting. I plan on retiring for the evening soon as well. This day has been exhausting for everyone but I feel bone weary from the shocking events of this day."

"Well, I won't stay any longer. Get some rest and I will see you tomorrow early. I have cleared my schedule for the day just for you dear.  I want to ensure that all is going smoothly for Orion's care." She gives me a big hug and kiss on the cheek. "Please give my thanks to Cook. Thank you Gran and I love you." "My sweet dear, I love you more than I can put into words.  Rest okay."

Once she leaves the room I feel eyes on my back. I turn around slowly and walk back towards the chair I have sat in for the past three months. I scan his face but all I see is this intense look he seems to continuously give me whenever he is awake.  It's as if he is trying to remember me but cannot.  I can see it in his eyes.

He clears his throat as his voice is still hoarse so I hand him a cup of ice chips from the side table next to his bed. He takes the cup from me accidentally grazing over my fingers with his and he gasps slightly as he feels the same tingles I've felt the whole time I have known him.

"How are you feeling?" "Yours is the voice I must have heard in the vast darkness. Your touch is what kept me grounded as these tingles I feel are familiar to me somehow. Who are you?" He whispers out to me. How exactly do I answer that question? Where do I begin? I don't want to overwhelm him but he needs this information in the hopes that somehow some of his memory returns.

"Um, well, my name is Shiloh. Like you were told earlier, your name is Orion Degray and I am Shiloh Degray, your husband." "My, my ..." he clears his throat again. "Husband?" "Yes." "How long have we been married?" "Five years but we have known each other since we were five year old little terrors." I respond with a smile on my face.

He smiles back and says, "How, how long have we, we been together?" "Since we turned fifteen which is fifteen years now officially as a couple." "We are childhood sweethearts?" "Yes, yes we are." I wanted to say we were but to try and explain the events that have led us here was just too painful to bring up and I did not want his memories jogged by such a tragic event.  I want to ease him into things.

He gazes deep into my eyes and captivates me with those baby blues and says, "Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to you. Why I was able to feel and hear you in the darkness that surrounded me so completely." "We do have a very strong connection. People have referred to us as true soul mates."

"So since you are my husband you can stay with me right?" "Don't worry Ori, I'm not going anywhere." "Ori?" "Sorry, it's a nickname I gave you when we were much younger. I guess that throughout the years it just stuck." He gives me a contemplative look and says, "I like it!"

Without him even realizing it, he graces me with a very familiar smile that has always been reserved just for me and in that moment I realize that even though he may not remember me, us, or himself, his heart somehow still does.