Forget Me Not

Chapter Five

"She's had a lot to absorb these past few days. Her mind wants to protect itself for her and her baby."

"Is the baby okay?"

IS the baby okay? His heartbeat normal? Why did this happen?

"The baby's fine."

Oh thank God. And Nathan? Nathan? Where's Nathan?

"When will she wake up? She's been out for a while."

"Give her time."

NATHAN!!

"How's Nathan coping?"

"Believe me, he's fine." It was Arthur's sarcastic comment that woke her up. Sienna was holding her hand, Arthur was stood at the end of her bed with Dr Smithson. Victoria was in a hospital room on her own bed. She was sure it was still the surgical wing because she could see the familiar nurse's station from the window in front of her. She could see the corridor where Nathan would be.

"Victoria? How are you feeling?" Dr Smithson asked.

"I'm fine. Honestly, I just want to see Nathan." Victoria struggled up into a sitting position, her mother gave her some water which she obediently drank from before looking back up at the doctor.

"Victoria, I wouldn't advise this."

"Why?"

"Because Nathan thinks he is living in 2008. He thinks he's eighteen, about to attend university with a job at a coffee shop." Dr Smithson said.

"That's not possible." Victoria gasped.

"I'm afraid it is. It's common in car crashes."

"How long will it last?" Victoria asked.

"It can last days... Weeks. Years even. There is no cure for this, just time."

"So he doesn't remember who I am?"

"No."

"And he doesn't know his own daughter? Or his unborn son?"

"No. I'm so sorry."

What could be worse? Death or forgetfulness? Not knowing the one you love anymore or him not knowing you anymore?

Victoria couldn't stand it. She discharged herself and dressed. When she left her room with Sienna, Lillian and Timothy were waiting by the Nurse's desk. Victoria looked at them as they approached her.

"We'll take care of him, Victoria. You don't have to worry about this. We can handle it."

"Handle it?" Victoria growled. "I don't need you to handle anything or anyone. He is my problem. He has been for the past five years. And I will take care of this with him."

"He's our son, Victoria. And he doesn't know you. As far as he is aware, you don't exist. As far as he knows, there is no marriage, no children, no wife, no nothing. He thinks he is eighteen again. He knows us. He doesn't even know Arthur."

Victoria saw red and she slapped Lillian across the face. Lillian looked absolutely shocked as one side of her cheek went bright red from the force of Victoria's right hand. Sienna gasped too and Timothy pulled Lillian behind him. But Victoria wasn't finished as nurses and doctors froze.

"He may be your son. But by law, rights and love, he is my husband. He always will be whether or not he remembers me. He has his own children. And if he fell in love with me once, I'll make it happen again." Timothy opened his mouth to speak but Victoria was done. She spun around, catching a glimpse of Arthur standing up in the waiting room and watching the scene unfold in a state of paralysed shock. Victoria took Sienna's arm and the pair left the hospital.